WASHINGTON — The Toronto Raptors decisively ended their three-game losing streak with a dominant 132-102 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. OG Anunoby led the way with 26 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists, guiding the Raptors to an emphatic win.
Scottie Barnes added a substantial double-double of his own with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The victory was particularly satisfying for the Raptors, as it also ended their five-game losing streak on the road. It marked the beginning of a challenging stretch with nine of their next ten games away from home.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic praised his team for capitalizing on facing the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back. He noted that the win should serve as a positive start to their road trip. Toronto’s shooting was exceptional, hitting 57.1% from the floor and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Rajakovic’s strategic lineup change, starting Gary Trent Jr. over Dennis Schroder, paid dividends, as the Raptors nearly matched their franchise record for assists, set earlier this season. Schroder, coming off the bench, contributed significantly with 10 assists and nine points.
Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole each scored 14 points for Washington, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent the Wizards’ third consecutive loss. Corey Kispert added 13 points from the bench. The loss deepened Washington’s struggles, marking their 30-game start as the second-worst in franchise history.
Washington’s defense continued to falter, conceding over 130 points for the 14th time this season. Coach Wes Unseld Jr. acknowledged the team’s size disadvantage and emphasized the need for a stronger mindset, particularly in rebounding, where they lag behind as the league’s worst.
The Raptors established their control with a decisive 19-1 run bridging the first and second quarters. Anunoby’s transition layup off Trent’s feed was pivotal in giving Toronto its first lead. The Wizards went without a field goal for over 7 minutes, a dry spell that Anunoby attributed to the Raptors’ improved communication and defensive effort.
Toronto’s lead swelled to 13 points in the second quarter and was 59-50 at halftime, thanks to Kispert’s buzzer-beating layup. The Raptors only extended their lead after the break, cruising to their largest margin of victory this season.
The Raptors will next face the Boston Celtics on Friday, while the Wizards are set to host the Atlanta Hawks on the same day.
