Leonard had previously played 421 games without picking up a technical foul, but received his first one in the Raptors’ routine 125-115 victory over the Heat on Monday.
The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year produced an exceptional performance as he weighed in with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
The result ensured that the Raptors - who aren’t quite a quarter of the way through the season - are in unchartered territory as they have 17 victories to their name.
Leonard is more renowned for his steals figures rather than his fouls.
And Nurse has pinpointed what is really behind this.
“There’s a lot of things you can attribute that to!,” Nurse said when discussing steals and fouls numbers.
“First of all his instincts, he wants to play defence, he’s got great instincts for it.
“His hands are bigger than most people’s and that helps.
“He sticks it out and the ball sticks to that hand.
“It’s like the wide receivers that make all those one-handed catches now.
“I’ve see him do two no-look steals, he put his hand out and got it.
“There’s some strength there too.
“Not everybody can do it, but he can take it from the person right in front of him.”
Raptors are now 17-4 after 21 games.
They face the Memphis Grizzlies next on Wednesday morning 1am UK time (10pm ET).
