The Toronto Raptors are off to a 2-0 start to the season after wins over the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards to begin 2026-27.
However, they’re about to get their biggest test yet Sunday evening against Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves.
Watch the Raptors play the T-Wolves LIVE Sunday evening at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN4, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
Toronto didn’t have to break much of a sweat in their opener, cruising to a 42-point win over the rebuilding Bulls at Scotiabank Arena. Things were a bit tighter Friday night in D.C. but a game-high 28 points from Scottie Barnes and 23 from RJ Barrett led the way in a 112-102 victory.
Kawhi Leonard, who netted 23 points in his Raptors re-debut Wednesday night, had just 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting in Friday’s win over the Wizards. However, he pulled down nine rebounds, had three steals and contributed to a stingy Raps’ defence that forced 23 Wizards turnovers.
Leonard was asked after the game if he has a target of when he might return to midseason form after averaging a career-best 27.9 points last season for the Los Angeles Clippers. He indicated it may take time to get back up to speed.
“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.”
Leonard’s arrival was the Raptors’ biggest move of the off-season, but the T-Wolves also made a major change to try and get over the hump in the Western Conference.
After back-to-back Conference Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, the Timberwolves were bounced in the second round last season by the San Antonio Spurs and evidently felt they needed to make a splash to try and get to the next level.
Enter Ball, who landed in Minnesota in a four-team blockbuster trade also involving the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets. The trade sent shockwaves around the NBA and gave the Wolves one of the most exciting guard duos in all of the NBA alongside the perennial All-Star Edwards.
The early returns have been strong as the Timberwolves are out to a 2-0 start with a combined margin of victory of 47 points, just under the Raptors’ total of 53 from their first two games.
So far, so good for both the Raps and the T-Wolves after eventful off-seasons. Said another way, something has to give Sunday in Minneapolis.