Allen Graves’ utility, Jamison Battle’s shooting could reshape Raptors’ second unit
Allen Graves’ defense and versatility alongside Jamison Battle’s proven shooting could give the Raptors’ bench a valuable new balance.
Raptors
Latest news and updates about the Raptors
Wizards at Raptors Preview: Washington hosts the Raptors in DC
The Washington Wizards host the Toronto Raptors on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET in Capital One Arena. Both teams enter with wins—Washington after a gritty 70‑point‑in‑the‑paint victory over Milwaukee, and Toronto after a 43‑point blowout of the Chicago Bulls. The Raptors debut Kawhi Leonard, a former NBA champion and Finals MVP, while the Wizards miss key players AJ Dybansta (ankle), Jamir Watkins (knee) and Tristan Vukcevic (hip). The preview highlights Washington’s size‑dominant style, heavy paint scoring and free‑throw volume, but warns they must improve 3‑point shooting and defense to compete with the East’s playoff contenders. This matchup serves as a early test for both clubs’ season aspirations.
Raptors overreactions: Toronto will win Eastern Conference with Kawhi Leonard again after brutal 43-point clawing of Bulls
The Toronto Raptors opened the 2026‑27 season with a historic 135‑92 rout of the Chicago Bulls, the largest season‑opening win in franchise history. Kawhi Leonard returned to score 23 points in 24 minutes, while Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each added 23, 23 and 20 points respectively, combining for 89 of the team’s total. The win featured 15 steals, six blocks and a 48‑point lead at its peak, highlighting a potent offense and stout defense. Despite Leonard’s shaky shooting (5‑of‑17), the article argues the four‑player core positions Toronto as a serious Eastern Conference contender, though it warns against premature hype.
Immanuel Quickley’s hot shooting could send the Raptors’ ceiling soaring this season
Immanuel Quickley wasted no time showing why he could be the Raptors’ X-factor this season, leaving a major shooting impact in their opener against Chicago.
Kawhi Leonard’s defensive reality check sets early standard for second Raptors stint
After a blowout win against the Bulls, Kawhi Leonard noted some defensive improvements the Raptors must make for bigger matchups.
Kawhi Leonard’s inefficient Raptors’ return is no reason for worry
It’s still a process for Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors.
Raptors star Kawhi Leonard offers firm 4-word response on return to full form
Kawhi Leonard caps his Raptors debut with a 23‑point, 6‑rebound, 2‑assist line as Toronto thunders past the Chicago Bulls 135‑92 in the 2026‑27 season opener. When asked about his comeback from a ham‑string of injuries with the Clippers, Leonard quips, “You can’t rush greatness.” The Raptors dominate defensively, tallying 27 forced turnovers, 14 steals and six blocks, while the Bulls shoot a dismal 4‑for‑36 from three. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also drop 23 points each, signaling a healthy Leonard could anchor a deep playoff run.
Kawhi Leonard: ‘You can’t rush greatness’ after Raptors debut
Kawhi Leonard wants to “shock the world, again.” His first game back with the Raptors offered an encouraging start. Leonard finished with 23 points, six rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block in 24 minutes Wednesday as Toronto overwhelmed the Bulls 135-92. But when asked about reaching midseason form, he made clear that his […] The post Kawhi Leonard: ‘You can’t rush greatness’ after Raptors debut appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Year three Ja'Kobe Walter looks like the game-changer the Raptors' bench needs
Ja'Kobe Walter was the star of the Raptors' second unit in their season opener, locking up, scoring, and being in the right place at the right time.
Bulls HC Tiago Splitter’s new team lost by 43 points and his old team won by 41 points. Is that bad?
On Wednesday evening, the Chicago Bulls kicked off their 2026-27 NBA season with an ugly 135-92 loss on the road to the Toronto Raptors. This game marked the head coaching debut of Tiago Splitter in Chicago, and he certainly didn’t look to have had his team prepared for this one. Splitter took over for the […] The post Bulls HC Tiago Splitter’s new team lost by 43 points and his old team won by 41 points. Is that bad? appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Raptors’ Bulls beatdown showed Kawhi Leonard can dominate despite ice-cold shooting
Kawhi Leonard’s shot went cold in the Raptors' season opener, but his steady dominance still stood out in Toronto’s rout of the Chicago Bulls.
Kawhi Leonard Says 'You Can't Rush Greatness' After Playing 24 Minutes in Return to Raptors
Kawhi Leonard doesn't seem concerned about when he will be able to ramp up to full participation after seeing limited playing time in his Wednesday night return to the Toronto Raptors.
One Bulls rookie actually showed up against the Raptors — it just wasn't Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson was expected to stand out against Toronto, but another Bulls rookie stole the spotlight with six offensive rebounds in just 14 minutes.
Allen Graves continues to validate Raptors' "Vision 6-9" NBA Draft philosophy
Toronto Raptors rookie big man Allen Graves validated the team's NBA Draft strategy by shining in his debut against the Chicago Bulls.
Perhaps Bulls guard Josh Giddey’s secret wrist injury explains why he had 1 of worst games of career to open season vs. Raptors
The Chicago Bulls endured a 135-92 drubbing by the Kawhi Leonard‑led Toronto Raptors on Oct. 22, 2026, with guard Josh Giddey posting one of the worst games of his career. Giddey revealed he suffered a left‑wrist injury in the first preseason game, had an MRI, and will have to play through it, yet the injury never appeared on the official report. He finished with 2 points on 1‑for‑10 shooting, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and five turnovers in 24 minutes. The undisclosed injury may explain his offensive collapse as the Bulls aim to rebound against the Milwaukee Bucks next.
Bulls, Raptors make NBA history on opening night
The Raptors make NBA history as Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto.
Raptors' blowout win still didn't erase my Jakob Poeltl rebounding concerns
The Raptors stomped the Bulls, but Jakob Poeltl still failed to look like the dominant interior presence Toronto needs him to be.
Analysis: Raptors Look Powerful In 43-Point Win Over Bulls
Here is how the Raptors destroyed the Bulls by 43 points on Opening Night, with Kawhi Leonard’s return and a dominant team win.
The good and the bad from the Bulls' loss to the Toronto Raptors
Chicago fell to the Toronto Raptors 135-92 to begin the 2026-27 NBA season.
Kawhi Leonard debuts as Raptors crush Bulls + game planning for the Wizards
Samson Folk & Trevon Heath recap the Raptors big season opener as well as discussing the games this weekend. The post Kawhi Leonard debuts as Raptors crush Bulls + game planning for the Wizards first appeared on Raptors Republic .
Signal and noise from Raptors’ opening night dismantling of Bulls
It was good. It was bad. It was a new beginning. The post Signal and noise from Raptors’ opening night dismantling of Bulls first appeared on Raptors Republic .
Bulls get absolutely worked in opener by Raptors
The Bulls were brutally outmatched in their season opener, falling 29 points behind the Raptors by halftime and never recovering. Starters Caleb Wilson (4‑10, 10 points, 5 turnovers) and Matas Buzelis (1‑6 in 14 minutes) struggled, while the bench went in late with no impact. Toronto’s defense forced 14 turnovers and limited Chicago to a 3‑for‑23 three‑point shooting night, while Quickley poured in four threes. Despite a respectable 31.8% offensive rebound rate and strong free‑throw numbers, the Bulls shot just 33.6% eFG% and couldn’t generate paint penetration. The loss highlights serious offensive woes and raises questions about the rotation moving forward.
Raptors vs. Bulls: This defense is going to be insane
What more can I say? The post Raptors vs. Bulls: This defense is going to be insane first appeared on Raptors Republic .
Raptors crush Bulls by 43 points in season opener
The Toronto Raptors opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a dominant 135-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, as Kawhi Leonard marked his return to Toronto with 23 points. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also scored 23 apiece for a Raptors team that never trailed at Scotiabank Arena. RJ Barrett added 20 points, […] The post Raptors crush Bulls by 43 points in season opener appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Kawhi Leonard sounds off on Raptors’ historic season opener
Kawhi Leonard is eager to move on from his controversial stint with the Los Angeles Clippers in his return to the Toronto Raptors. He is off to a good start. Leonard helped the Raptors blow out the Chicago Bulls, 135-92, at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. He had 23 points, six rebounds, and four steals in […] The post Kawhi Leonard sounds off on Raptors’ historic season opener appeared first on ClutchPoints .
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