Kawhi Leonard, Raptors open season with romp past Bulls

Oct 21, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Khawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Chicago forward Leonard Miller (11) during the first quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Kawhi Leonard, Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes scored 23 points apiece as the Toronto Raptors rolled to a 135-92 victory over the visiting Chicago Bulls on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams. RJ Barrett added 20 points, and Quickley dished out seven assists. Leonard rejoined the Raptors in a Sept. 14 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, returning to the team he led to its first NBA championship in 2019. Ja'Kobe Walter chipped in 10 points for Toronto, which held a 34-13 advantage in fastbreak points. Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 17 points, making 13 of 16 free-throw attempts. Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick in June's NBA draft, scored 16 points in his debut. Jalen Smith and Norman Powell each added 15 points, while Tre Jones contributed 13 off the bench. Chicago never led as Toronto burst out of the gates, building a 43-23 first-quarter advantage. Quickley scored 14 points in the opening period, making three of his four 3-point attempts. The Raptors opened the game with a 7-0 run, with Barrett sandwiching a pair of baskets around a Leonard 3-pointer. Toronto doubled up Chicago at 16-8 on Collin Murray-Boyles' left-handed dunk. Quickley continued his strong start in the second quarter, draining a 3-pointer from the wing to extend Toronto's lead to 51-23 during an 11-0 run that spanned the first two quarters. Barrett was fouled while flipping in a one-handed fadeaway in the lane, then completed the three-point play to stretch Toronto's lead to 82-52 with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter. Chicago committed 27 turnovers, compared with 11 for Toronto. The Raptors continued to pull away late in the third quarter. With about two minutes remaining, Walter pressured Josh Giddey into a backcourt turnover before feeding Barnes for a two-handed dunk that made it 101-62. Leonard and Barrett scored back-to-back transition baskets early in the fourth quarter as Toronto extended its advantage to 108-71. --Field Level Media