This Raptors-Bucks matchup just got a little less intriguing

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 17, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The matchup between the undefeated Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks looked like the week’s marquee game. Now it will, unfortunately, be a little devoid of star power.

What promised to be one of the young season’s most appealing matchups — a game between the two last undefeated teams in the NBA — just become a bit less intriguing with the news that the Toronto Raptors are planning to rest their All-NBA forward, Kawhi Leonard and that Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo will also be missing the game as he enters concussion protocol. The Raptors are choosing to be very cautious with Leonard, who only played nine games last season as he recovered from a mysterious hamstring injury that led to his falling out with the Spurs, who he played for the first seven years of his career. This is the second game he will be resting in less than two weeks.

However, Leonard has appeared anything but rusty in his first five games as a Raptor — he is averaging career highs in both points and rebounds while shooting at a 50-45-92 clip so far. Leonard, at his best, is one of the best players in the league, and perhaps the best perimeter defender playing right now. So far, he has been adding a new element to the Raptors that is already paying tremendous dividends for them.

Less notably, but still unfortunately, the Raptors will also be without OG Anunoby tonight due to undisclosed personal reasons, meaning that an extra burden will be placed upon Pascal Siakam and C.J. Miles as the strive to remain the NBA’s last undefeated team.

Next. Refined shot selection has made Khris Middleton a star. dark

The Milwaukee Bucks will also be without their best player as Giannis Antetokounmp is recovering from taking an elbow to the head in Saturday’s game against the Magic. This is unfortunate news, but even with Leonard and Antetokounmpo both absent in tonight’s matchup, this remains a compelling game as the two teams have looked like the best teams in the East so far. They also have a number of good players apart from their two stars, most notably Kyle Lowry, who is looking like the best point guard in the Eastern Conference and Khris Middleton who has been setting the world on fire these last two weeks. Nevertheless, it is an absolute bummer. Let us hope that both sides are completely healthy when they meet again on Dec. 9.

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