The Washington Wizards saw its young players step up in encouraging performances despite a 134-125 loss against the Toronto Raptors
The Washington Wizards dropped their fourth consecutive game, this time a 134-125 loss against the Toronto Raptors, but it came in a more encouraging performance compared to recent games.
Will Riley led the way with a team-high 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Kyshawn George, who head coach Brian Keefe said would be on a minutes restriction ahead of tipoff, finished with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting including 3-of-3 from deep as he played just 15 minutes.
Bilal Coulibaly added 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting while adding five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes. Jamir Watkins also added ten points on 4-of-5 shooting along with a pair of rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
Washington opened the first quarter with an eight point lead after Bilal Coulibaly opened with a corner three and putback dunk in the opening minutes before Kyshawn George began to dazzle with his stepback three pushing the Wizards ahead, 14-7, four minutes in. Washington opened it up to a 13 point lead after Jaden Hardy's three was followed up with an easy hook shot for Anthony Gill by the rim before a Raptors three inside the final minute.
Washington would hold off Toronto to take a 64-61 lead into halftime thanks to a midrange jumper from Coulibaly to end a Raptors run in the closing minutes, but it'd be a sign of what was to come in the second half.
Toronto outscored Washington, 37-28, in the third quarter and would take its first lead just four minutes in after RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram combined for a 6-0 run. Eight lead changes through the rest of the quarter would keep Washington competitive before Brandon Ingram started taking over down the stretch, one of three Raptors to finish with 20 or more points after posting 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Jaden Hardy would eventually stop the bleeding after completing an and-one opportunity, timing the deficit to 94-90, but Washington would not be able to get closer, though a block by Justin Champagnie in the final seconds of the third quarter proved to be a highlight.
Will Riley would then prove to be the highlight in the fourth quarter after scoring 12 of his 19 points over the final 12 minutes.
Washington will return to action on Monday night to host the Houston Rockets in the second and final meeting between the two teams this season.