Toronto basketball fans are holding their breath, hoping to see a familiar face and franchise legend take the court on Friday night. Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers are in town for their only visit of the season, but the former Raptors champion's status remains up in the air, listed as questionable for the marquee matchup.
Leonard Playing at Peak Form for Surging Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is in the midst of one of the finest seasons of his career, averaging a personal-best 28.2 points per game through 30 appearances. His performance has been a driving force behind the Clippers' remarkable turnaround. After a dismal 6-21 start to the year, the team has won 11 of its last 13 games, with Leonard averaging over 30 points per game during that hot streak.
His efficiency has been staggering. He leads the NBA in free-throw shooting at 94.1% and is flirting with the elite 50/40 shooting splits, sitting just shy of 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Defensively, he remains a menace, topping the league with 2.2 steals per game. This resurgence has him on track for his first All-NBA and All-Star selections since he departed Toronto for Los Angeles seven seasons ago.
Leonard demonstrated his current form just days ago. After being a game-time decision against Washington, he not only played but dominated, scoring 33 points and reeling off 11 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to seal a victory.
Raptors Battle Mounting Injury List
While all eyes are on Leonard's potential return to Scotiabank Arena, the home team is grappling with a significant injury crisis of its own. The Raptors' lineup has been decimated, which could impact their ability to compete even if Leonard suits up.
The team's health report is lengthy. Starting shooting guard RJ Barrett will miss his fourth straight game and 20th of the last 26 due to a left ankle sprain. The Raptors' record starkly illustrates his importance: they are 16-7 when he plays. Starting centre Jakob Poeltl is out for the 14th time in 15 games, and promising rookie Ja'Kobe Walter remains sidelined with a hip pointer.
The uncertainty extends further. Starting point guard Immanuel Quickley and key reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili are both questionable, while Jamison Battle is doubtful and Garrett Temple is also questionable. This wave of injuries presents a massive challenge for head coach Darko Rajakovic as he prepares his depleted roster to face a Clippers team hitting its stride.
Columnist Warns Against Blockbuster Trades for Davis or Morant
Amid speculation that Raptors ownership is pressuring the front office for another major acquisition following last year's trade for Brandon Ingram, a prominent voice is urging caution. In a pointed commentary, the columnist argues that pursuing either Anthony Davis or Ja Morant would be a catastrophic error for the franchise.
The case against Davis, despite his Hall-of-Fame talent, centers on his relentless injury history. Nicknamed "Street Clothes," he has averaged only 57.6 games per season over a 14-year career. This season, he has played just 20 games. At 32 years old and seeking a maximum contract, the financial and competitive risk is deemed far too high.
Morant, at 26, presents a different but equally troubling profile. Beyond his well-documented off-court issues, his on-court performance has sharply declined due to injuries. He is shooting a dismal 40% from the field and 20% from three-point range, a shadow of the explosive player he once was. The columnist concludes that any such trade would likely cost the team RJ Barrett, who has outperformed expectations since arriving from New York, and would disrupt one of the NBA's most positive locker rooms. The advice is clear: the Raptors should just say no.
Friday's game represents more than just another regular-season contest. It is a rare opportunity for Toronto to celebrate the player who delivered its greatest sports moment, a chance to gauge a battered team's resilience, and a reminder of the high-stakes decisions looming on the horizon for the franchise.
