English
Kawhi Leonard made his long-awaited return to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, stepping into the starting lineup as the team hosted the Chicago Bulls in their home opener at Scotiabank Arena. It marked Leonard’s first regular-season appearance in Toronto since 2019, when he led the franchise to its only NBA championship.
Leonard originally left Toronto after that title run, signing with his hometown Los Angeles Clippers. However, the Clippers traded him back to the Raptors during the past summer. The deal faced a delay while the NBA investigated both Leonard and the Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention before eventually clearing the trade.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Coach Excited to Welcome a Hall of Famer Home
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic spoke enthusiastically about Leonard’s return ahead of the game. “We’re super excited that we had the opportunity, the chance to bring a Hall of Famer back home, back to Toronto,” Rajakovic told reporters at his pre-game media availability. “We’re extremely grateful that he is with us.”
Despite the excitement, Rajakovic indicated that the 35-year-old would face a minutes restriction. Leonard has a well-documented injury history, and the coaching staff wants to manage his workload carefully. “We started him a little bit later in the pre-season and he’s still reconditioning, so we want to be smart with that,” Rajakovic said. “We want to put him in a position to have a long run.”
Leonard brings an impressive résumé back to Toronto. He is a two-time NBA champion and earned Finals MVP honours on both occasions. In addition, he is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time All-Star, and a seven-time All-NBA selection. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks over 65 games, earning a spot on the NBA’s second All-Star team.
Fans Flood Scotiabank Arena with Championship Memories
The energy inside and outside Scotiabank Arena reflected how much Leonard’s return meant to Raptors supporters. Omar Rohilla of Brampton, Ontario, expressed pure disbelief. “Honestly, 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, wore a matching Leonard jersey and shared the sentiment. “Awesome, awesome, man,” he said. “I hated it when he left, but the return’s going to be sweet for sure.”
Meanwhile, Jack Poon and Cecilia Lau of Aurora, Ontario, said the atmosphere reminded them directly of the 2019 championship run. “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.” Lau added that her expectations were equally high. “Of course, win again,” she said. “When I woke up I put on my 2019 championship hat and the winning T-shirt.”
Arena Atmosphere Sets the Tone for the Season
The sold-out arena buzzed with anticipation well before tip-off. White T-shirts featuring Leonard’s iconic stretched-out hand covered every seat before the gates even opened. During the singing of “O Canada,” fans roared when cameras caught Leonard on the in-house screens, his head bowed during the national anthem.
All-star forward Scottie Barnes delivered a pre-game introduction welcoming fans back for the new season. He opened with the phrase “What it do baybee,” a nod to a viral 2019 Instagram post by former Raptors forward Serge Ibaka, in which Leonard originally coined the expression. The reference drew an immediate and enthusiastic response from the crowd.
For the Raptors organization and its fanbase, Leonard’s return represents far more than a roster addition. It signals a renewed sense of possibility — and for many in attendance on Wednesday night, a genuine chance to relive the magic of 2019.
