February 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors guard Scotty Barnes (4) smiles during warmups before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Image The Toronto Raptors, who are competing to stay atop the Eastern Conference standings, will look to continue their impressive season away from home on Saturday when they travel to take on the Washington Wizards.
The Raptors, who currently lead the sixth-place Philadelphia 76ers in first place in East play, have done enough so far to build a cushion in the play-in group. Projected to be a .500 team prior to the season, one of the reasons Toronto has become one of the league’s surprise teams has been its success on the road.
The Raptors are coming off an 18-10 road win over Canada, but are on a two-game losing streak at home on Saturday. In one of its tougher assignments in a row, Toronto has lost to Oklahoma City and San Antonio on back-to-back days.
Coach Darko Rajkovic’s team led by 15 points late in the third quarter against the Spurs on Wednesday before taking a 32-17 lead in the fourth.
“I thought we had been fighting for 48 minutes. Unfortunately they had some tough shots from long range and we missed some of the shots we normally take,” Rajakovic said. “I’m really proud of our team’s fight. We have to continue to study, analyze, get better and find ways to improve how we finish games.”
Immanuel Quickley has scored in double figures for 10 straight games and is averaging 20.8 points since the All-Star break. The sixth-year guard is looking to lead the Raptors to their first playoff appearance since 2022 and believes the team giving its all against recent heavyweights is exactly what Toronto needs.
“We’ve seen playoff-level fitness from good teams, and I think that’s good for us,” Quickley said. “The last few games I’ve played against some really good defenders. This is good for me and the team. Just getting a taste of it.”
Brandon Ingram leads the Raptors in scoring with 21.8 points per game, while Scottie Barnes adds 19.1 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game.
Toronto will not face a future postseason team on Saturday. The Wizards have lost three straight and have the fourth-worst record in the league (16 wins, 42 losses). Washington finds itself in a familiar situation as the team is coming off its third straight 60-loss season.
The Wizards dropped a pair of lopsided games to the Atlanta Hawks, with leading scorer Alex Sarr (17.2 ppg) out with a right hamstring injury and Keyshawn George (14.8 ppg) missing Thursday’s 126-96 loss with a knee contusion. It is doubtful whether George will play in Saturday’s game.
Trade deadline acquisitions Anthony Davis and Trae Young are still dealing with ailments, and coach Brian Keefe’s roster doesn’t have much experience.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players,” Keefe said of Washington’s depleted roster. “When we’re in these types of situations, people will take advantage of them, just like they have in years past.”
Jaden Hardy, a young, available core player for the Wizards, is averaging 13.5 points in four games since being traded from Dallas. Tre Johnson added 12.7 ppg in his rookie campaign.
–Field level media
