NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Nets, Egor Demin, Lakers

October 29, 2026

Raptors

The Raptors have a better idea of how long they’ll be without Kawhi Leonard. It still amounts to a considerable stretch.

The expectation is that Leonard will miss approximately three or four weeks with swelling in his left knee, Chris Haynes reported on NBA TV’s The Association.

Toronto’s official plan is to reevaluate him one week after Tuesday’s announcement. Imaging revealed no acute injury, and Leonard will undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Basically, the next evaluation is a progress report. It isn’t a promise that he’ll be back.

Ja’Kobe Walter moved into the starting lineup Sunday, with rookie Allen Graves and veteran Kyle Anderson also options for additional minutes. The Raptors have players to fill the spots. Replacing Leonard’s impact is another matter.

Nets

Egor Demin thought his leg injury was “nothing serious” and expected to be ready later this week. Further evaluation changed the plan.

The Nets diagnosed the second-year guard with a bone bruise in his right leg and will reevaluate him in one week, according to the team, via Ian Begley of SNY.

That sidelines Demin for at least four games, beginning Friday against the Pistons. He was injured during Tuesday’s overtime loss in Boston.

Demin had averaged 9.7 points and 3.0 assists in his first three full games, though he shot just 30.8%. Now Brooklyn has another adjustment to make while looking for its first win.

Mikel Brown Jr. and Nolan Traore figure to get more opportunities. For a young backcourt, there should be plenty to learn. Preferably, the Nets would like some of it to come with a victory attached.

Lakers

Walker Kessler offered a pretty clear assessment after the Lakers allowed Portland to score 136 points Tuesday.

“We’ve been relying on our offense a lot,” Kessler said, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. “And we have a very, very good offense and a lot of great scorers. But that’s not gonna be the only thing that gets us to win a championship here.”

A night later, the Lakers held the Clippers to 87 points without Luka Doncic or Ziaire Williams.

Jarred Vanderbilt helped in his first appearance after four straight DNPs. He didn’t score, but collected seven rebounds in 21 minutes while the Lakers outscored the Clippers by 22.

“He’s always going to be ready for whenever his name is called,” Collin Sexton said, via Nguyen. “But that just shows a true professional.”