The Toronto Raptors began their 2026-27 campaign with a 135-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls, producing the largest season-opening win in franchise history. Toronto never trailed, scored 43 points in the first quarter, and built a lead of as many as 48 points before finishing with a 43-point margin.
And well, Kawhi Leonard's return saw him score 23 points, but he was only one of the four Toronto starters who had at least 20 points on the night. Both Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes provided ample support, each scoring 23 points as well, with RJ Barrett the final Raptors star to score 20, per Basketball Reference.
And well, while it may be too early to brand the Raptors as a dark horse title contender, we look at three overreactions as far as fans are concerned after the blowout win.
#1 Kawhi Leonard was not even at his best
Leonard scored 23 points in 24 minutes, adding six rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. However, his scoring total came despite a difficult night from the field.
He made just five of 17 attempts, including two of six from three-point range. The Klaw also made multiple important defensive contributions and claimed after the match that he was still learning how to play with his new teammates, per ClutchPoints.
“Just still getting acquainted with all my teammates, the offense, the defensive schemes,” he said. “It's the first game, so we gonna keep building and try and get better. Just thank everybody for coming out. We’re gonna try to make a special season. Hopefully, we can keep this rolling, and the best is yet to come.”
His first game will undoubtedly add to the confidence, and there is no reason why the Raptors should be looking to mount a similar title challenge as they did back in 2019.
#2 The Raptors have multiple superstars in addition to Kawhi
Barnes also scored 23 points, finishing with six rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes. He shot eight of 19 from the field and made all six of his free throws. Barnes averaged 5.9 assists per game last season, and his ability to initiate possessions gives Toronto another option for organizing the offense.
Meanwhile, Quickley finished with 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes. He shot six of 13 from the field, four of nine from three-point range and seven of eight from the free-throw line, and did not have single turnover on the night.
Finally, Barrett proved once again that he can find points when his team needs him to, scoring his 20 with 8-14 shooting. Toronto’s four star players combined for 89 points, and have the potential of giving them a kind of offensive fluidity that can help them take on the best defences in the league.
Article Continues Below#3 Leonard's defensive presence could help Toronto become even more aggressive
The Raptors were also tough on defence. Toronto recorded 15 steals and six blocks, and played with the same kind of intensity that became a defining characteristic last season.
While Leonard remains the defensive lynchpin, Ja'Kobe Walter recorded three steals while Quickley added two. Toronto finished fifth in defensive rating last season, while Leonard is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to the scoring and playmaking, Kawhi can help the Raptors’ defence get to another level, and his potential fit in Darko Rajakovic's system is only going to get better as the season progresses.
And while it may be too early to conclude that they can emerge as one of the top teams in the league this season, the Raptors should more than enough evidence in their opening game that they are going to be a team to watch out for, this campaign.