Kawhi Leonard Makes Toronto Raptors Regular-Season Debut in Home Opener Against Chicago Bulls Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto's starting lineup for the Raptors home opener against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21, 2026, his first regular-season appearance for the team since 2019. Kawhi Leonard was in Toronto's starting lineup Wednesday night as the Raptors hosted the Chicago Bulls in their home opener at Scotiabank Arena. It was his first regular-season appearance for Toronto since 2019, when he led the Raptors to their only NBA championship. The 35-year-old signed with his hometown Los Angeles Clippers the following off-season. L.A. traded him back to Toronto this past summer, although the deal was delayed as the NBA investigated Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said the return is just the beginning. Obviously, this is just the start of the process.Rajakovic highlights Leonard returnThis is Game 1 of 82 that is coming, Rajakovic said at his pre-game media availability. We're super excited that we had the opportunity, the chance to bring a Hall of Famer back home, back to Toronto. We're extremely grateful that he is with us, and we're going to have the opportunity to see him play here in front of the Toronto Raptors' fans. Rajakovic implied that the oft-injured Leonard would be on a minutes restriction against the Bulls.We started him a little bit later in the pre-season and he's still reconditioning, so we want to be smart with that, he said. It's seeing the big picture and understanding where he's at physically and conditioning wise. We want to put him in a position to have a long run. Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and was named Finals MVP both times.Leonard career achievements listedHe's a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time all-star and was named to the All-NBA Team seven times. Last year with the Clippers, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks over 65 regular-season games. He was named to the NBA's second all-star team. The excitement was palpable in the home locker-room and on the concourse.Fans filed into Scotiabank Arena before tip-off with high hopes. White T-shirts with Leonard's stretched-out hand across the chest were draped over every seat at the sold-out arena before the gates opened. Omar Rohilla of Brampton, Ont. , said he still cannot believe it.Fans express excitement for returnHonestly, I still can't believe it, he said. Every time I see him in a Raptors jersey, I feel like I'm looking at AI. I just can't believe he's back. I'm just excited.His father Aftab Rohilla, wearing a matching Leonard jersey, agreed. Awesome, awesome, man, he said. I hated it when he left, but the return's going to be sweet for sure. Jack Poon and Cecilia Lau of Aurora, Ont., said the excitement around the home opener reminded them of the last time Leonard played for the Raptors. It's 2019 all over again, said Poon. We bought these tickets specifically for tonight because it's his comeback tour. It's the same feeling.Championship hat and expectationsLau said she had high expectations. Of course, win again, said Lau. When I woke up I put on my 2019 championship hat and the winning T-shirt. All-star forward Scottie Barnes gave a pre-game introduction welcoming fans back for the new season.He opened his remarks by saying What it do baybee, a reference to a viral Instagram post shared by former Raptors forward Serge Ibaka back in 2019 where Leonard coined the catchphrase. Fans roared during the singing of O Canada when Leonard was featured on the in-house cameras with his head reverently bowed during the national anthem. The Raptors hosted the Bulls in the first half of NBA basketball action Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.