Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard won’t play Sunday vs. Pistons

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives with the ball against the San Antonio Spurs. (Eric Gay/AP)

Kawhi Leonard will not be available for the Toronto Raptors when they take on the Detroit Pistons tonight due to load management, the team announced Sunday afternoon.

Toronto has stuck with their season-long plan to give their star off-season acquisition as much rest as possible, in the hopes of keeping him fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

The 2014 Finals MVP missed all but nine games for the San Antonio Spurs last season due to a quadriceps injury. This season, the Raptors have gone 13-4 without Leonard in the lineup.

Leonard hit a game-winning fadeaway jumper in the final seconds of the Raptors’ last game against the Portland Trail Blazers and has enjoyed a resurgent campaign so far, posting a career-high 27 points per game to go along with 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 46 appearances.

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