TORONTO – A.J. Lawson delivered a standout performance on Monday night, scoring a career-high 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds off the bench to power the Toronto Raptors past the Washington Wizards with a 119-104 victory.
Lawson’s impressive night was part of a strong team effort as the Raptors (22-43) bounced back from their recent loss to Washington. The win saw four Raptors achieve double-doubles, including:
- Scottie Barnes – 14 points, 13 rebounds
- RJ Barrett (from Mississauga, Ont.) – 14 points, 10 rebounds
- Orlando Robinson – 13 points, 11 rebounds
On the other side, rookie standout Alex Sarr had a solid outing for the Wizards (13-50) with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jordan Poole also contributed 16 points.
Raptors Overcome Injury Woes
Despite multiple players sidelined, including key starters, the Raptors pulled together for the win. Missing from the lineup were:
- Jakob Poeltl (rest)
- Ochai Agbaji (left ankle sprain)
- Gradey Dick (right knee bone bruise)
- Jonathan Mogbo (broken nose)
- Ja’Kobe Walter (right hip flexor)
- Ulrich Chomche (partial MCL tear)
- Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain)
Head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed that Agbaji is progressing but still isn’t cleared for contact. Meanwhile, Dick continues to rehab but has begun light shooting and running drills.
Key Moments in the Game
The Raptors dominated the glass, out-rebounding Washington 73-56, a critical factor in their victory. Toronto’s shooting struggles in the second quarter threatened to derail their momentum, hitting just 8-of-33 field-goal attempts. However, they bounced back in the third, outscoring the Wizards 34-19 thanks to improved shooting (14-of-30) and better ball movement.
Highlight Play
A tense moment unfolded late in the first quarter when Bilal Coulibaly soared for a powerful dunk but lost his grip on the rim, landing hard on his back. Officials reviewed the play but ruled it an ordinary foul against Raptors forward Jamison Battle, who suffered a broken nose on the play. Neither player returned to the game.
Rising Star: A.J. Lawson
Since signing a two-way contract with Toronto on Dec. 11, Lawson has steadily improved. His previous best was 17 points for the Dallas Mavericks back in December 2023.
What’s Next?
- Lethbridge Scores Big with Sporting Events, Boosting Local Economy
- Tage Thompson Shines as Sabres Edge Oilers 3-2 to snap six-game losing skid – Edmonton
नमस्ते, मेरा नाम अमित वर्मा है। मैं हिंदी में सरकारी योजनाओं और स्कीम्स से जुड़ी ताज़ा खबरें और जानकारी साझा करता हूं। राजस्थान का निवासी होने के नाते, मेरा उद्देश्य आपको सभी सरकारी योजनाओं की सटीक और सरल जानकारी प्रदान करना है।