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Toronto Raptors hoping for the best with Kawhi Leonard

By Paul Taylor

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives toward the basket during the game against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 7, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives toward the basket during the game against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 7, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors will keep their fingers crossed that Kawhi Leonard is fit to face the Golden State Warriors, after sitting out Tuesday night’s game with a hip injury.

Kawhi Leonard was unable to play on Tuesday night due to a hip injury, but in the end it didn’t matter. The Toronto Raptors handed the Los Angeles Clippers their worst loss of the season, as they beat them 123-99.

However, thoughts now turn to if Leonard will return to the lineup on Wednesday, for the big showdown with the Golden State Warriors. In a potential NBA Finals matchup the Raptors will need all the help them can get, in the intimidating atmosphere of Oracle Arena.

It’s all very well saying the Raptors have already beaten the Warriors once this season. However, winning arguably the best game of the season so far, came at a time when their opponent was missing Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

Despite the absence of Curry and Green, the Raptors still needed overtime to win. Further, the victory was a rarity in itself, with Toronto entering that contest on the back of eight consecutive losses to the Warriors.

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Of course, we don’t want to sound like we’re on a downer; anytime you can beat a team which has won three of the last four NBA Championships, it’s a good day. Regardless, the Raptors will need Leonard in the lineup, if they are to have a realistic change of repeating the trick on the road.

In this respect, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year suffered his hip injury towards the end of Sunday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. As per Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star, he went through a shootaround on Tuesday morning hoping to play against the Clippers, but was ruled out due to ongoing soreness.

The Raptors have usually given Leonard one game off during this season, when the team plays back-to-backs. Further, you could understand if coach Nick Nurse would rather save him for the clash with the Warriors.

The question is, was sitting the 27-year-old a precautionary move, or a sign of something potentially more serious? Consider that during Tuesday, his status went from likely to play to questionable, before he was eventually ruled out.

There is no doubt the team and fans alike would prefer if Leonard played on Wednesday night. They need to test how far they have progressed, to see if their contender status is genuine and you ideally want your strongest possible lineup.

The 2014 NBA Finals MVP leads the team in points and boards, which are also both on course to be career highs. In addition, he has brought a new hard-nosed element to Toronto, with his stellar defence.

At the same time, it’s just one game; there is still a long way to go this season. And if the Raptors are to finally get to the promised land, they will need Leonard for the long haul.

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Assuming Leonard isn’t fit to face the Warriors, how do you predict the Toronto Raptors will do? Do they have a genuine chance of winning at the Oracle Arena without their best player? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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