Raptors routed Bulls wire to wire in season opener
TOR 135, CHI 92: Toronto led the whole game, opened with a 43-23 first quarter and built its lead to 48 pts. Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard and Immanuel Quickley each scored 23 pts, and RJ Barrett added 20 pts. Chicago shot 4-36 from three and committed 27 turnovers.
Sources: Box score via ESPN
Also in the picture (3)
Reported Leonard asked to return in the fourth of his Raptors debut
In his first game for Toronto, Leonard had 23 pts, 4 stl and shot 5-17 FG. Josh Lewenberg called it a "rusty re-debut" and noted the Raptors didn't depend on him to win. Blake Murphy reported Darko Rajakovic said Leonard asked to come back into the game in the fourth to keep getting his legs and reps, even with Toronto up by more than 40.
Reported Rookie Allen Graves got the game ball after his NBA debut
Josh Lewenberg reported that Jama Mahlalela got the game ball for rookie Allen Graves, who scored his first NBA points in his debut. Graves said he had a "new level unlocked".
Reported Caleb Wilson struggled in his debut but stayed upbeat
In his NBA debut, the Bulls rookie had 16 pts, 3 stl and shot 7-21 FG in 32 min. Julia Poe reported that Wilson didn't hang his head after the lopsided loss.
Recap written Oct 22, 2:04 AM ET by our system from the box score and the posts linked, in our own words. Rumors and opinions are labelled.
Things to watch
set before tip, answered from the box score after
Does Scottie Barnes miss the game?No
Josh Lewenberg (X): I asked Scottie Barnes if he’s felt the buzz/experiment in/around the city going into the season. He said he doesn’t go outside much (😂) but sees it on social media. When he is out in public, most peo
Reported Kawhi Leonard makes his Raptors debut in the season opener
Kawhi Leonard, who played mostly for the Clippers last season, makes his Toronto debut as the Raptors open their season against Chicago. Josh Lewenberg wrote that Leonard's arrival is a big reason Toronto now has "a real shot."
Illness sidelines Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins for Chicago
Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins are both out of Wednesday's opener in Toronto because of illness. That leaves the Bulls short on guard and wing depth on top of Claxton's absence.
Sources: Dailyn Swain status (ESPN) · Jordan Hawkins status (ESPN)
Opinion Murray-Boyles' option picked up as Raptors weigh frontcourt roles
Toronto exercised Collin Murray-Boyles' third-year team option, Vivek Jacob reported. A Hardwood Knocks host expects Jakob Poeltl to start with Murray-Boyles off the bench, and suggested Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Murray-Boyles could close games.
Written by our system from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words; written Oct 21, 4:25 PM ET, before tip. Rumors and opinions are labelled.
Since the final
posted after the final · newest first · official report, X, Bluesky, RotoWire, ESPN
RotoWireCHICaleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson: Massive double-double in loss — Wilson tallied 30 points (10-24 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 9-11 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block across 38 minutes in Saturday's 124-120 loss to the Wizards.
Zach Collins entering after not playing in Milwaukee. Tiago Splitter said Collins didn't play because he's still on minutes restriction and they didn't want to use him in front end of B2B when Leonard Miller was better matchup vs. Bucks.
Bulls coach Tiago Splitter talks Noa Essengue, tough love, and the role he's carving out as a match-up based rotation piece ... a PWill injury update and much more ...
Read it ...
@JCowleyHoops · View on Xalso reported by @UnderdogNBA
ESPNCHIPatrick WilliamsOut
Williams (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Right, Groin, Soreness (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗also reported by @UnderdogNBA
ESPNCHINoa EssengueOut
Essengue (head) has been downgraded to questionable for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Head, Bruise (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗also reported by @JCowleyHoops, @UnderdogNBA
XCHI
Noa Essengue is out vs. Wizards, per Tiago Splitter. Essengue is having issues with light sensitivity after taking that blow to head in Bucks game. Not in concussion protocol.
Patrick Williams is out
Kawhi Leonard: 20-point streak broken Friday — Leonard ended Friday's 112-102 victory over the Wizards with 16 points (7-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist and three steals in 28 minutes.
Scottie Barnes: Stuffs stat sheet in victory — Barnes supplied 28 points (12-26 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks across 37 minutes in Friday's 112-102 win over the Wizards.
Josh Giddey: Struggles continue Friday — Giddey posted six points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds and nine assists over 25 minutes during Friday's 132-125 victory over Milwaukee.
With CMB in foul trouble, it's Graves as the 9th man and Battle as the 10th man tonight. Was reversed in the opener but this appears to be Darko's early-season rotation, with Kyle Anderson the odd man out for now. Probably more of a situational role for the vet.
Caleb Wilson: Nets 21 points with full line in win — Wilson produced 21 points (7-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks and three turnovers across 33 minutes in Friday's 132-125 win over the Bucks.
Leonard Miller is good. Really interesting guy for the Bulls when it comes to a possible extension. I'd try to get something done vs letting him hit unrestricted free agency.
Think it's notable that Matas Buzelis is getting a short leash once again to start this season. Pulled after roughly four minutes on the court, didn't get put back in during the first quarter. Bad foul and turnover in that span, plus some very questionable ball-handling in the paint.
All of Allen Graves’ decisions, large and small, are well thought out. But in his first NBA game, the Raptors’ conscientious rookie shut off his brain and just played basketball. It made for a successful debut:
@jlewenberg.bsky.social · View on Blueskyalso reported by @JLew1050
ESPNCHIJordan HawkinsDay-to-day
Hawkins (illness) is probable for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Started Wilson, Buzelis, Giddey, Powell, Smith box score
Dailyn SwainOut
Swain is out for Wednesday's season opener against Toronto with an illness.
Illness (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
Jordan HawkinsOut
Hawkins is out for Wednesday's season opener against Toronto with an illness.
Illness (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
Nic ClaxtonOut
No Nic Claxton for the season opener — and his return timeline is still a bit vague for the Bulls.
Bluesky
TOR Toronto Raptors
Started Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, Leonard, Poeltl box score
Malachi SmithOut
G League - Two-Way · NBA report
Nate BittleOut
Bittle (foot) is out for Wednesday's season opener against the Bulls.
Right, Foot, Fracture (return est. 2026-10-28) · ESPN
Schedule & travel · referees
CHI
TOR
Days of rest
4
4
Back-to-back
No
No
Games in last 7 days
2
2
Travel to this game (est.)
438 mi
206 mi
Travel last 7 days (est.)
519 mi
687 mi
Time zones crossed
1
0
Road trip game #
1
—
Travel is the straight-line distance between arenas from the schedule, an estimate; in the first week they include preseason games. These numbers describe the schedule; they are not a prediction of how a team will play.
Referees: Courtney Kirkland, Brandon Schwab, Sha'Rae Mitchell