Kawhi Leonard says he is ready to go after quadriceps injury

Kawhi Leonard spoke publicly in his first appearance as a Toronto Raptor and said he is physically ready to play.

Leonard joined the Raptors in a summertime blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs. How long he stays in Toronto is unclear but the former NBA Finals MVP and two-time defensive player of the year who was limited to nine games last season because of a right quadriceps injury insists he is ready to go as the team gets ready for training camp in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sharing a podium with Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who pulled the trigger on the trade that included acquiring forward Danny Green and losing DeMar DeRozan, Leonard addressed the biggest question about him: His health.

Toronto Raptors NBA basketball team player Kawhi Leonard is photographed during media day in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Chris YoungThe Canadian Press via AP)

"Right now I'm feeling great, ready to play basketball." Leonard said. "Throughout the summer I worked on my body. Took it step-by-step, just getting fully healthy, getting ready to make this extra step this season."

The usually reserved Leonard also attempted to offer the crowded a room a little insight about himself.

"I'm a fun guy," Leonard said. "Obviously, I love the game of basketball. I mean, there's just more questions you have to ask in order for me to tell you about myself. I just can't give you the whole spiel. I don't even know where you're sitting."

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri poses with new Raptors players Kawhi Leonard, left, and Danny Green, right, during media day in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Chris YoungThe Canadian Press via AP)

Even after he located the reporters, Leonard was characteristically brief but managed to make his feelings clear, starting with his reaction to the July 18 trade that ended a sometimes fractious seven-year relationship with the Spurs and sent him to Toronto.

"Excited," Leonard said. "I'm coming to a great city that loves basketball, a great organization and I'm happy Danny was coming with me as well."

A free agent next summer, Leonard said he arrived in Toronto "with an open mind," but wasn't ready to talk about what that means long-term.

Toronto Raptors new head coach Nick Nurse sits for a television interview during the NBA basketball team's media day in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Chris YoungThe Canadian Press via AP)

"My focus is on this year, this group that we have, and us striving to get to a championship," he said. "We all want to win, and if you're looking into the future, you're going to trip over the present."

To land Leonard, Toronto gave up DeRozan, a team icon and four-time All-Star. San Antonio also got center Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 protected first-round draft pick.

DeRozan's departure wasn't the only big offseason change in Toronto. The Raptors also fired Dwane Casey, who was later named NBA Coach of the Year, and replaced him with former assistant Nick Nurse. The rookie head coach said Leonard's diverse skill set will help bolster a "versatile" Raptors roster.

Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard, left to right, sits alongside Raptors President Masai Ujiri and Danny Green at a press conference during the NBA basketball team's media day in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Chris YoungThe Canadian Press via AP)

"He can guard smalls and bigs and he can score in and out," Nurse said. "That's really cool."

The architect of the offensive overhaul that saw Toronto dramatically increase its 3-point shooting last season, Nurse suggested there may be more to come this season thanks to the addition of Leonard and Green.

"We could," Nurse said. "On paper, our team has gotten better from behind the line. We'll see how that all plays out."

One player who might take more 3-pointers is holdover point guard and four-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, DeRozan's close friend. Lowry, who had also not spoken publicly since the trade, disputed the notion he was miffed at Ujiri's move.

"I'm here to do my job," Lowry said. "One thing about me is I've always been prepared to come in, work, and try to win a championship. My mindset never changes: Come to work for the Toronto Raptors, try to win a gold ball."

With Leonard along for the ride this season, that goal might be within reach for the Raptors.

"It's going to be fun, man," Lowry said. "An opportunity like this, you've got to take advantage of it."

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)