Kawhi Leonard shares message to Toronto Raptors fans after first game back

A sold-out crowd of 19,800 packed Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night for the Toronto Raptors' season opener and the long-awaited return of superstar Kawhi Leonard.

And fans didn't have to wait long to see him make his mark.

Just a minute into the first quarter, Leonard drained a pull-up three-pointer from the top of the arc to put Toronto up 5-0. The Raptors never looked back, routing the rebuilding Chicago Bulls by 43 points for the fourth-largest margin of victory ever in an NBA season opener.

Leonard finished the night with 23 points in 23 minutes, along with six rebounds and four steals. He didn't shoot well, just 5-for-17 from the field, though he made his presence known with an impact on both ends of the floor.

KAWHI LEONARD 1ST POINTS BACK IN TORONTO! 3 FOR THE RAPTORS #NBA #Bulls #SeeRed #Raptors #WeTheNorth #CHIvsTOR https://t.co/YUgW9dpD5y

— Dom (@ZeroChillSports) October 21, 2026

With Toronto up by 45 early in the fourth quarter, head coach Darko Rajakovic pulled Leonard from the game. But Kawhi apparently wasn't done, asking coach Darko to check back in again.

After the game, Leonard told reporters he wanted to get more reps in as he continues to work his way into form. When he was asked about when he thinks his game (and body) will be ready, the seven-time All-Star had this to say.

"You can't rush greatness."

"I'm not really assessing my game right now. I never really do. We won the game. I just try to do what it takes," Leonard said.

The Leonard Raptors fans saw on Wednesday was a different version of the two-time NBA champion that played in Toronto seven years ago. Even his former teammate and current Chicago Bulls coach Tiago Splitter remarked before the game that Leonard has matured and changed personally since they played together in San Antonio more than a decade ago.

Raptors star Kawhi Leonard prepares to speak to the media after a home-opener win against the Chicago Bulls. (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

That has been reflected in Leonard short time in Toronto since the trade from the Los Angeles Clippers was processed on Sept. 14.

On Tuesday, he shared a video essay to his social media page about his journey back to Toronto and what returning to the city means to him. He was asked post-game why he put it together, and he responded that he wanted to show fans he still cares.

"I want to show fans that I care about this season, and that I'll be doing things on and off the floor. Fans will probably see a little bit more of me and what I'm doing in the community," Leonard said.

Kawhi Leonard on why he released this video essay: “Just a season opener. Just to give respect to the fans, show them that I do care about the season, and that I’m going to be doing things on and off the floor.” “It’s too much people behind mics these days. They’re not keeping the game fair.” 👀

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) October 22, 2026

"Just being able to come back and give fans another opportunity to see me play basketball. I'm just going to have fun and try to make the city proud. That's my motivation."

Leonard and the Raptors will head on the road for their next two games. The first will be on Friday against the Washington Wizards, before ending the road trip in Minnesota on Sunday against the Timberwolves.

The Raptors' next home game at Scotiabank Arena will be on Oct. 28 against the Orlando Magic.