The Toronto Raptors head into Sunday night with a perfect 2-0 record, but their first real measuring stick of the season is waiting in Minneapolis.
Toronto opened 2026-27 with a blowout of the rebuilding Chicago Bulls and followed that with a tighter 112-102 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. Scottie Barnes led the way with a game-high 28 points, while RJ Barrett added 23 to keep the Raptors rolling early.
The bigger storyline so far has been Kawhi Leonard’s return. He scored 23 points in his Raptors re-debut on Wednesday, then came back Friday with 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Even without the big scoring night, Leonard still made his presence felt with nine rebounds, three steals and a hand in a Raptors defence that forced 23 Washington turnovers.
After the game, Leonard was asked about a timeline for getting back to his usual rhythm after averaging a career-best 27.9 points last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. His answer made it clear he’s not forcing the process.
“No, I don’t play targets. You can’t rush greatness,” he said.
“Just happy to be out there and try to do the best I can with my minutes.”
Minnesota has its own new-look feel. After reaching the Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025, the Timberwolves were knocked out in the second round last season by the San Antonio Spurs and responded with a major swing in the offseason. That move brought LaMelo Ball to the Wolves in a four-team blockbuster that also involved the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.
Now Ball joins Anthony Edwards in a backcourt that instantly gives Minnesota one of the most dangerous guard pairings in the league. The early results have matched the hype: the Timberwolves are 2-0 with a combined margin of victory of 47 points, just shy of Toronto’s 53-point edge over its first two wins.
The Raptors have started fast. The Timberwolves have started even louder. Something has to give Sunday evening.
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