The Christmas leftovers aren’t even finished, and the Toronto Raptors (18-13) are already back on the road. Tonight, they wrap up their three-game road trip in the nation’s capital against the struggling Washington Wizards (5-23).
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. The Raptors are firmly entrenched in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, sitting at the #4 seed, while the Wizards are currently on pace for the worst winning percentage in their franchise’s history. But as any seasoned Toronto fan knows, the “Post-Holiday Curse” is real.
The “Boxing Day” Trap
Since the Raptors played that historic Christmas Day game in 2019, they have been a dismal 1-4 in their first game back from the break. Their only win in that span? Ironically, it was against these same Wizards back in 2023. Head Coach Darko Rajakovic will need to ensure his squad doesn’t view this as a “scheduled win,” especially with the injury bug biting hard.
Game Info & How to Watch
- Matchup: Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards
- Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Location: Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
- TV: TSN Sports (Toronto) / Monumental Sports Network (D.C.)
- Radio: TSN 1050 / Sportsnet 590 The Fan
The Injury Report: A Depleted Frontline
The biggest storyline tonight isn’t the opponent—it’s who isn’t playing for Toronto.
- RJ Barrett (OUT): The Mississauga native hasn’t suited up since November 23rd with a knee sprain. His 21.7 PPG is sorely missed.
- Jakob Poeltl (OUT): A lingering back issue has sidelined the Raptors’ defensive anchor for four of the last five games.
- Scottie Barnes (QUESTIONABLE): The heartbeat of the team is battling an illness. His status is the “X-factor” for tonight.
- Collin Murray-Boyles (QUESTIONABLE): Also dealing with an illness after a career-best performance against Miami.
The Wizards’ Side: They aren’t healthy either. Cam Whitmore (shoulder) and Corey Kispert (hamstring) are out, but they did recently welcome back Bilal Coulibaly and veteran Khris Middleton.
Key Matchup: Brandon Ingram vs. Alex Sarr
With Barrett out, Brandon Ingram has taken the keys to the offense, averaging nearly 22 points per game. He’ll face a unique challenge in Wizards rookie sensation Alex Sarr. Sarr is currently averaging 18.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks, providing a rare defensive bright spot for a Washington team that otherwise sports the league’s worst defensive rating (123.1).
Pulse Points: Three Things to Watch
- “Aggressive Scottie” or Bust: If Barnes plays, history shows he needs to shoot. In Raptors wins this year, Scottie averages 19.9 points on nearly 15 shots. In embarrassing losses to the Spurs and Nets, he took 10 or fewer shots. Passive Scottie leads to stagnant offense.
- Next Man Up (The “Battle” for Minutes): With the stars out, watch for Jamison Battle. The 6’7″ sniper has been knocking on the door of the rotation. If the Raptors struggle to score against the Wizards’ porous defense, Battle’s floor-spacing could be the “break glass in case of emergency” option.
- The Defensive Standard: Despite the offensive struggles, Toronto is 3rd in the NBA in points allowed (111.6 PPG). They’ve held opponents under 100 in back-to-back games. If they can keep Washington’s CJ McCollum (18.6 PPG) in check, they should cruise.
The Prediction
The Wizards are “chippy” and have played spoiler before, but their defense is historically bad. Even a shorthanded Raptors squad should have enough firepower with Ingram and a potentially returning Barnes to handle the worst team in the East.
Final Verdict: Raptors by 12.