The Chicago Bulls open their NBA regular season up with a road matchup against the Toronto Raptors. 

Facing off against the new-look Raptors is a major test for the young Bulls. A Toronto team that finished 5th in Defensive Rating (112.1) last season added seven-time All-Defensive Team member and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard. 

Leonard clearly isn't the same player he was when he was younger, but he is coming off of arguably the best season of his Hall of Fame career. Last season he averaged a career-high 27.9 PPG on an also career-high 62.9% True Shooting Percentage. 

The two-way brilliande of Leonard is flanked by Scottie Barnes, who is a serious DPOY candidate, scorers RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, and a host of young players who are strong defenders in Jamal Shead, rookie Allen Graves and Collin Murray-Boyles. It's safe to say every Bulls' basket will be hard-earned on Wednesday evening.

Chicago, of course, will have all eyes focused on the official NBA debut of Caleb Wilson. The 6-foot-10 forward has become a hot topic on social media as a result of his explosive dunks and surprisingly competent 3-point shooting. Things will be a lot different going up against the caliber of defenders possessed by the Raptors. 

Potentially seeing Wilson match-up against a player who conceivably represents a version of his ceiling in Leonard should make for a great viewing experience. 

Outside of Wilson's arrival, the Bulls will look to see marked improvement from fellow franchise cornerstones Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. 

Giddey still figures to post a near-triple-double, but questions still linger about his utility in the halfcourt against elite teams. Buzelis will still provide a unique blend of blocks and 3-point shooting, but can he consistenly bring it every night while being depended on as a clear top-two player on his team? The Toronto Raptors are a great test to help us answer those above questions. 

Wednesday will also be our first opportunity to see if the aggressive play from Leonard Miller this preseason--16.4 PPG, 62% FG--can continue over to the regular season. Miller was solid over his playing time last season, but looks like a completely different player with an improved 3-point shot. 

Here's everything you need to know before the Bulls take on the Raptors in their regular season opener:

Chicago Bulls (0-0) vs. Toronto Raptors (0-0)

Location: Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Ontario

Tipoff: Friday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT

TV: Chicago Sports Network 

Radio: 104.3 FM The Score (WSCR-FM)

Betting Line (DraftKings): Bulls +9.5 (-105), Raptors -9.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Bulls +330, Raptors -425

Over/Under: 236.5

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Chicago Bulls

Tobe Awaka: Probable (Left MCL Sprain)

Nic Claxton: Out (Left Hamstring Strain)

Zach Collins: Probable (Right Quad Strain)

Jordan Hawkins: Out (Illness)

Leonard Miller: Probable (Right Adductor Strain)

Isaac Okoro: Probable: (Right Knee Pain)

Dailyn Swain: Out (Illness)  

Toronto Raptors

Nate Bittle: Out (Right Foot Fracture)

Malachi Smith: Out (G League/Two-Way)