Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard says he can officially start playing 5-on-5 with "no restrictions" on Oct. 8. But Leonard has already started playing 4-on-4 in practice the last "four or five days," according to Blazers' coach Terry Stotts.
Leonard, who underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder on April 8, won't play in the Trail Blazers' second preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, but he could potentially get on the court next week.
Leonard said the biggest challenge once he returns will be getting into game shape. Before the Blazers preseason game on Monday against the Utah Jazz, he estimated he would need 7 to 10 days to get his body NBA-ready once he's cleared to return.