Kawhi Leonard’s second run in Toronto started with a 135-92 demolition of the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena. The 43-point margin is the biggest season-opening win in Raptors history, as reported by ClutchPoints.
Kawhi needed only 24 minutes to put up 23 points, six rebounds and four steals. “You couldn’t ask for a better welcome-back game, you know,” he said. He also admitted he’s “still getting acquainted with all my teammates, the offense, the defensive schemes.”
He had plenty of help. Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes each scored 23, and Toronto turned 27 Chicago turnovers into 35 points while leading by as many as 48.
The IAHHM Take
You don’t need us to remind you what Kawhi means up north. He’s the guy who brought Toronto its first title in 2019. His Clippers stint is remembered as controversial, and the Clippers moved him back to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and five draft picks.
That’s a big bet on a player who has had his share of health questions. But a night like this explains why Toronto made it. Kawhi doesn’t have to be the 2019 version every night. He just has to be the closer, the defensive problem and the guy the young core can lean on when games get tight.
His own words say he knows it’s early: “Hopefully, we can keep this rolling, and the best is yet to come.”
Next up, Toronto visits Washington on Friday to face a Wizards team coming off Anthony Davis’ 34-point debut.
Is this the start of a real Raptors comeback, or is one blowout of the Bulls telling us too much?
Source: ClutchPoints
