Sports
Kawhi Leonard scores 23 in his first regular-season game back in Toronto as the Raptors rout the Bulls 135-92
Leonard went 11 for 11 at the line with four steals in his first regular-season game for Toronto since the 2019 title run. The Raptors never trailed.
Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points Wednesday night in his first regular-season game for the Toronto Raptors since he led them to the 2019 NBA championship. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley matched him with 23 apiece as Toronto routed the Chicago Bulls 135-92 in the season opener for both teams.
RJ Barrett added 20 points for the Raptors, who never trailed. Toronto scored 43 points in the first quarter, nearly as many as Chicago managed in the entire first half (44).
Leonard was not sharp from the field. He shot 5 for 17, including 2 of 6 from 3-point range, but made all 11 of his free throws and had four of Toronto's 15 steals before checking out with 8:12 left in the game.
A warm welcome home
The Scotiabank Arena crowd roared for Leonard during the starting introductions. He answered by flashing his signature "Klaw" hand sign to the fans. Former teammate Serge Ibaka, a member of that 2019 title team, watched from a courtside seat across from the Toronto bench.
Leonard hit a 3-pointer on his first shot of the night and grabbed an early steal that forced a quick Chicago timeout. He then missed his next eight attempts before a pull-up jumper late in the second quarter.
Before the game coach Darko Rajakovic called it a start. "Obviously, this is just the start of the process. This is Game 1 of 82 that is coming," he said. "We're super excited that we had the opportunity, the chance to bring a Hall of Famer back home, back to Toronto."
How he got back
Leonard left Toronto for his hometown Los Angeles Clippers after the 2019 title. The Raptors reacquired him in an offseason trade after a salary cap-circumvention scandal that led to heavy sanctions against the Clippers.
A rough night for Chicago
The Bulls committed 27 turnovers that led to 35 Toronto points and went just 4 for 36 from 3-point range. Rookie Caleb Wilson had 16 points but also nine turnovers in his NBA debut. Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 17 points.
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