Bulls vs. Raptors: Kawhi Leonard's Toronto return is a 135-92 rout as Caleb Wilson debuts for Chicago

Kawhi Leonard’s second act in Toronto started with a blowout. Leonard scored 23 points in his return to the Raptors, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley matched him with 23 each, and Toronto routed the Chicago Bulls 135-92 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Scotiabank Arena in the season opener for both teams.

For Chicago fans, the night was supposed to be about rookie Caleb Wilson’s NBA debut. He scored 16, but the Bulls never led. “Bulls vs raptors” topped 50,000 US Google searches, and the separate “raptors” trend, folded into this story, drew about as many.

Bulls vs. Raptors: final score and box score

Toronto led 43-23 after the first quarter, 69-44 at halftime and 103-71 after three, according to the official scorer’s report. The AP noted that the Raptors’ first-quarter total nearly matched Chicago’s entire first half. The sellout crowd was 19,800.

Raptors - Kawhi Leonard: 23 points (5-of-17, 11-of-11 free throws), 6 rebounds, 4 steals - Scottie Barnes: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists - Immanuel Quickley: 23 points, 7 assists, 4-of-9 from three - RJ Barrett: 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting - Ja’Kobe Walter: 10 points

Bulls - Matas Buzelis: 17 points (13-of-16 free throws) - Caleb Wilson: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 9 turnovers - Jalen Smith: 15 points, 8 rebounds - Norman Powell: 15 points - Tre Jones: 13 points off the bench

The AP recap lists the Bulls’ third 15-point scorer as “Jaylin Smith,” while the official scorer’s report shows Jalen Smith; we follow the official report.

Turnovers and threes sank Chicago

Two numbers explain the margin. The Bulls committed 27 turnovers, which the AP said led to 35 Toronto points, and the Raptors finished with 15 steals. Chicago also shot 4-of-36 from three-point range; Powell (2-of-6) was the only Bull to make more than one, per the AP. Toronto never trailed.

Caleb Wilson’s NBA debut

Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft according to Bleacher Nation, played 32 minutes. The official line: 16 points on 7-of-21 shooting, 1-of-8 from three, four rebounds, three steals, a block and nine turnovers, with no assists and a plus-minus of minus-45.

Bleacher Nation tracked his firsts: his first NBA points came at the free-throw line, his first field goal was a fast-break layup set up by Josh Giddey, and he hit his first three from the left corner in the first quarter. His first dunk came in the second quarter, and his best play, by that outlet’s account, was a fourth-quarter drive through the defense, with Leonard in front of him, for another dunk. Bleacher Nation also called it the worst opening-night loss in Bulls franchise history; we could not independently confirm that record.

Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto

Leonard was not efficient, shooting 5-for-17, but he went 11-for-11 at the line and had four of Toronto’s 15 steals before checking out with 8:12 left, the AP reported. He hit a 3 on his first shot, then missed his next eight before a pull-up jumper late in the second quarter.

The AP recalled his history: traded from San Antonio to Toronto before the 2018-19 season, he helped the Raptors win the 2019 championship and then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto reacquired him this offseason after a salary cap-circumvention scandal that led to major sanctions against the Clippers. Former Raptors teammate Serge Ibaka watched from courtside.

Injuries

Chicago was without Claxton (left hamstring strain) plus Hawkins and Swain (both gastrointestinal illness), per the official report. Toronto’s inactives were Bittle (right foot avulsion fracture) and a two-way player.

What’s next

The Raptors play at Washington on Friday, according to the AP. The Bulls are set to visit Milwaukee next; the AP’s Bucks recap says Milwaukee hosts Chicago on Friday.

FAQ

Who won Bulls vs. Raptors? The Raptors won 135-92 in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

How did Caleb Wilson do in his debut? 16 points, four rebounds and three steals, but nine turnovers on 7-of-21 shooting.

How many points did Kawhi Leonard score? 23, tied with Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley for the team lead.

Why is Kawhi Leonard on the Raptors? Toronto reacquired him in an offseason trade after the NBA sanctioned the Clippers in a salary cap-circumvention case, per the AP.