Toronto delivered a statement win in their season opener, crushing the Chicago Bulls 135-92 on Wednesday night. Kawhi Leonard made his highly anticipated return to Toronto, scoring 23 points despite shooting just 5 for 17 from the field. He nailed a 3-pointer on his first attempt but struggled thereafter, though he was perfect 11 for 11 from the free-throw line and grabbed four steals before sitting out the final eight minutes. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley each chipped in with 23 points, while RJ Barrett added 20 and Ja’Kobe Walter contributed 10. The Raptors never trailed, capitalizing on Chicago’s 27 turnovers to score 35 points off those mistakes. The Bulls, led by rookie Caleb Wilson’s 16 points and Matas Buzelis’s 17, couldn’t find their rhythm, shooting a dismal 4 for 36 from beyond the arc. Wilson himself had a rough debut with nine turnovers. Toronto’s defense was relentless, forcing errors and turning them into easy points. The game saw Toronto score 43 points in the first quarter alone, nearly matching the Bulls’ total of 44 by halftime. This win marks a strong start for the Raptors, who reacquired Leonard in an offseason trade following a scandal involving the Clippers.
