Raptors Get Revenge on Wizards in 119-104 Win After Saturday’s Heartbreaker
The Toronto Raptors bounced back Monday night with a convincing 119-104 victory over the Washington Wizards, just two days after losing a nail-biter to the same team.
But the game wasn’t just about the score.
Late in the second quarter, things got heated between Raptors forward R.J. Barrett and Wizards rookie Bub Carrington in a moment that had Washington fans on their feet.
Barrett drove hard to the basket expecting a whistle that never came. Frustrated by the no-call, he started jawing with Carrington.
What happened next caught everyone’s attention.
Carrington, clearly not intimidated by the veteran, taunted Barrett by lightly tapping his own cheek, essentially daring Barrett to hit him. The rookie’s boldness had Wizards fans buzzing with excitement.
The confrontation ultimately fizzled out without any punches thrown, but it wasn’t Barrett’s only run-in with a Wizards rookie that night. He also had a brief dust-up with first-year player Kyshawn George in the first quarter.
Despite the tension, the Raptors controlled the game and secured the win they narrowly missed on Saturday when they fell 118-117.
Carrington has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for Washington. The 6’4″ point guard has appeared in all 63 games this season, starting 43 of them. He’s putting up solid rookie numbers, averaging 9.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in just over 26 minutes per game.
The Wizards continue to struggle, sitting at a league-worst 13-50 record.
There is a silver lining for Washington fans, though. Their team’s poor performance puts them in position for another high draft pick in 2025, potentially adding to their young core that already includes 2024’s second overall pick, Alex Sarr.
The Wizards don’t have much time to dwell on Monday’s loss. They’re back in action tonight against the Detroit Pistons as they continue their seven-game road trip. The odds aren’t in their favorโthey’re 14.5-point underdogs according to BetOnline.
