TORONTO — To kick off the Raptors’ 2026-27 season, Scottie Barnes greeted his home crowd with some familiar words: “What it do, baaeby.”

It’s an endearing imitation of Kawhi Leonard — words that were made famous during the Raptors’ 2019 championship celebrations. With Leonard’s return to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night, Barnes’ opener serves as a symbolic homage to the past, one filled with accomplishments that many fans believe can be repeated by this young and talented group. 

“They're going all the way,” said Stephanie Derible, who made the journey from St. John’s, N.L., for the home opener. “They’re going all the way because they have Kawhi back.” 

Her son, Andrew, expanded on his mom’s reasoning: “Easy, a 50-plus win team. The defence on the team is outstanding. You got [Collin Murray-Boyles], Scottie [Barnes], and Kawhi. That's a juggernaut right there.”

Those in attendance watched the Raptors earn the largest opening-night win in franchise history, beating the Chicago Bulls 135-92. They held at least a 20-point lead for the majority of the matchup, pushing it to a 48-point differential by the fourth quarter.

The Raptors jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes. That stretch involved Leonard hitting a three-pointer, then stripping Chicago’s Caleb Wilson and finding RJ Barrett for an easy layup in transition.

Leonard finished the night with 23 points on 5-17 shooting, while going 11-11 from the free throw line. Surprisingly, he played in the fourth quarter after asking head coach Darko Rajaković for more reps. He finished just shy of 24 minutes.

Asked post-game if he has a target in mind for when he’ll be fully ramped up and playing at the level we saw by the middle of last season, Leonard responded in typical fashion:

“No, I don't put targets. You can't rush greatness.”

That seems to be the mindset for the Raptors’ season in general. With the excitement of the early campaign and the squad’s new look, many fans hold championship aspirations. Rajaković says he has “no comment” about those lofty goals, considering it is just Game 1 of the season.

Leonard was just as measured. “It’s way too early to talk about that,” he said. But with many of those aspirations hinging on his mentorship, he also shared how he sees his role.

“Me being the oldest on the team, you know, being 35, I have to give them that pedigree, that experience, you know, the will to win,” said Leonard.

“Especially on nights when the ball's not going in, I feel like those are good, special nights because you have to dig deep.”

Leonard’s shot wasn’t necessarily falling on Wednesday, but the Raptors squad made up for it with their grit and resilience on the defensive end, as they held Chicago to 31 per cent shooting from the field and 11 per cent from three-point distance. On offence, four of the five Toronto starters finished with at least 20 points, while 14 players got action throughout the blowout win. 

The Bulls should also be one of the easier opponents in a tough Eastern Conference, one that now includes a Raptors team that put the league on notice in the 2026 playoffs. That young team by itself is a long way from a championship, but by adding Leonard, the timeline becomes significantly accelerated. 

“He's definitely a guy that the young guys can look up to. He's gonna mentor Scottie, even improve his defence more. … [Defensively], I think we're definitely one of the best teams in the league,” said David Heiber, a University of Toronto student.

That defensive prowess was on full display on Wednesday night. Post-game, Immanuel Quickley reflected on the two-headed monster that now leads the Raptors.

“It’s crazy. I don’t even know how to describe it. Especially if they’re switching, you get done going against Scottie, and you got to go against Kawhi. Bro, you just got to pass it,” said Quickley, who finished with 23 points after opening the night with 14 first-quarter points.

That 2019 team was known for its defence, led by Leonard. Fittingly, “The Klaw” is the only player from that championship team on the current roster, though his path back was anything but typical. He returns after a rocky seven-year chapter that began when he left in free agency for the Clippers, fresh off his Finals MVP award.

In Los Angeles, it was an underwhelming and polarizing stint — ultimately coming to an end with the Clippers trading Leonard back to Toronto. With his return, Raptors fans don’t seem to be holding resentment. Instead, the focus is on what’s possible. With a two-year extension signed fresh off a season in which he finished seventh in MVP voting, Leonard is looking forward to “trying to shock the world again.”

Sammy Samari, who attended Wednesday’s game with a custom-made Raptors championship belt, believes Leonard is back to prove his doubters wrong.

“We have a very good team, and they are so dedicated. Kawhi is here to help them win the championship again. … The team with his experience, believe me, you're going to see wonders.”  

In terms of similarities, both this squad and the 2019 roster boast a bevy of young talent. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell had more playoff experience before Leonard arrived, having been part of a 59-win team that earned the East’s No. 1 seed in 2017-18. Still, after last year’s seven-game series, there’s reason to be optimistic about this group.

“I think it’s going to be our season. I’ve said that every year, but this year, the new guys we have, and with Kawhi in there, I think we could go all the way,” said Natalie Brown of Mississauga, Ont.

“Our rookies did so well last year. Now they’re not as new, and with his experience combined, I think that’s what we need. All of it together.”