Kawhi Leonard has moved a step closer to returning for the Toronto Raptors after finishing treatment for swelling in his left knee.
According to ESPN, the Raptors announced on Tuesday that the 35-year-old forward has now entered what the club called the "return to play process" in Toronto.
The team said a further update on his condition would follow in one week. That timeline means Leonard would not be available before 11 November, when Toronto face Boston.
Leonard was ruled out with the swelling after featuring in only two regular-season games. A scan carried out on the knee last month found no structural damage, ESPN reported.
His past knee problems have centred on the other leg. Leonard has undergone several operations on his right knee, involving both the meniscus and the ACL.
Despite his limited appearances, he made an impact in his brief spell on court this season, averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals across those two outings.
This campaign marks Leonard's second stint with the Raptors. He arrived in a trade from the LA Clippers during the offseason, ending a six-season spell in Los Angeles that ESPN described as having closed amid scandal. Following the move, he signed a two-year contract extension with Toronto worth $115 million.
Leonard's first spell in Toronto lasted a single season, during which he guided the franchise to the 2019 NBA title, the only championship in the club's history. He then joined the Clippers as a free agent.