Kawhi Leonard Cleared vs. Knicks: Week 1 Survivor Impact

Kawhi Leonard gets the green light

Kawhi Leonard is a go. Coach Darko Rajaković confirmed the star forward will be available for the matchup against the Knicks at Scotiabank Arena, clearing up any doubt about his status ahead of tip-off. For a player whose availability is always worth tracking, a clean "he's playing" from the coach is the kind of clarity survivor players want before locking anything in.

What it means for your Week 1 survivor pick

Leonard's clearance matters most if you're eyeing the Knicks in Week 1, because their schedule is a mixed bag. New York opens as a 5.5-point home favorite over Philadelphia on Oct. 20 — the cleanest look of the three. From there it gets dicey: a road trip to Boston on Oct. 23 where the Celtics are favored by 2.5, and a home date with Orlando on Oct. 25 with no line posted. The PHI game is the one to lean on if you're backing New York; the Boston matchup is an underdog spot you'd rather dodge, and the Magic game carries uncertainty. If you'd rather build around a bigger favorite, check the latest NBA knockout pool picks before committing — and if you haven't yet, you can start a free survivor pool and ride the opening slate out.