The Toronto Raptors are eager to break their ongoing nine-game losing streak as they gear up to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
Toronto, with a record of 23-47, suffered another defeat on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, extending their streak of losses. The Raptors faced a 123-103 loss, marked by a significant 22-7 run by the Thunder in the fourth quarter, turning what was a competitive game into a blowout. This defeat marked Toronto’s fourth consecutive double-digit loss.
The Raptors were hampered by several absences in Friday’s game, with key players such as Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett missing due to personal reasons. Additionally, Scottie Barnes missed his tenth consecutive game due to a broken hand, while Jakob Poeltl has been sidelined since March 5 due to a finger injury that required surgery.
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Head coach Darko Rajakovic expressed astonishment at the unprecedented challenges faced by the team, with a multitude of injuries and personal reasons affecting player availability.
Toronto has been forced to cobble together lineups, exemplified by rookie Javon Freeman-Liberty making his ninth NBA appearance as a starter in March.
Despite the struggles, rookie Gradey Dick delivered a commendable performance with 21 points, his highest scoring output since February 5.
The Raptors are determined to avoid extending their losing streak to ten games, especially against the struggling Washington Wizards, who have won only 12 games this season.
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Washington, with a record of 12-58, recently secured a win against the Sacramento Kings with Kyle Kuzma returning from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Kuzma’s presence significantly impacted the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of unity and smart play.
While the Wizards have faced defensive challenges throughout the season, Kuzma remains optimistic about the team’s ability to improve defensively in the remaining games, focusing on togetherness and defensive rotations to lay a foundation for the next season.
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