The Toronto Raptors suffered a decisive 138-117 loss to the Washington Wizards Friday night, as Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 23 points.
The Wizards’ victory, their highest-scoring performance of the season, halted a four-game home losing streak, though they remain last in the NBA with a 6-23 record. CJ McCollum and Bilal Coulibaly each contributed 21 points for Washington. The team shot 59.3% from the field, dominating the Raptors in rebounds 46-33 and outscoring them 36-17 in the fourth quarter.
Toronto struggled without key starters RJ Barrett, sidelined with a knee sprain and Jakob Poeltl, nursing a back strain. Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 29 points, while Immanuel Quickley added 25. Sandro Mamukelashvili recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Raptors briefly closed an 11-point halftime deficit to two points in the third quarter, but Washington responded with a late surge. Consecutive three-pointers from Justin Champagnie and Bub Carrington extended the Wizards’ lead, followed by a scoring run featuring McCollum, Carrington, and George. A dunk by Coulibaly in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 20 points for the first time.
The Raptors will attempt to rebound from the loss when they begin a five-game homestand Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. The Wizards will continue their homestand Sunday, facing the Memphis Grizzlies.
