Toronto Raptors swingman Kawhi Leonard will start and guard Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler when the teams get together Wednesday, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg.
Asked about Leonard guarding Butler in particular, head coach Nick Nurse was matter-of-fact in his response.
“Yes. Yes. That's why we got that guy. To guard that (type of) guy,” said Nurse of the Leonard-Butler matchup.
This clash of defensive aces should prove an interesting one, as both players are coming off injuries. Leonard is coming off a season-long quad issue that kept him out for nearly the entire 2017-18 season, while Butler needed meniscus surgery last season and then hand surgery in the summer.
Both Leonard and Butler have had limited training camps, with the former still being under a watchful protocol and eyed closely by the medical staff. Butler, of course, requested a trade and didn't practice with the Timberwolves before finally returning just before the start of the regular season.
The Klaw has had a strong start to the season, averaging 25.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting the 3 at a ridiculous 46.7 percent clip. Butler hasn't been too shabby himself, averaging 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.7 blocks through his three games this young season.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler have missed a game due to their teams' watchful approach as the cornerstone players of their respective franchises, though how long Butler holds that title remains to be seen.
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