Key Takeaways

• Toronto extended its start to 2-0, following a victory over the Bulls, and maintained momentum with a road win against a Wizards squad that improved from last season.
• Scottie Barnes led Toronto in the second game with 28 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and two blocks/steals, continuing his strong two-game start and reinforcing that Kawhi Leonard’s presence hasn’t cut into his scoring.
• Kawhi Leonard totaled 16 points on 7-for-20 shooting but complemented it with nine rebounds and three steals, contributing to the team’s overall defense and grit.
• RJ Barrett also reached 20+ points in both openers, becoming one of the two Raptors to achieve that milestone alongside Barnes, signaling a two-game early scoring duo.
• Toronto’s defense again shone, yielding 194 total points across two games, underscoring an identity built on lockdown guarding despite an offense that has struggled from beyond the arc (just over 26%).
• The offense shows an encouraging trend by shooting over 80% from the free-throw line in both games, addressing a major weakness from the previous season.
• The Wizards feature a new trio and notable addition Deandre Ayton, with Trae Young and Anthony Davis drawing attention; however, Toronto’s defense and interior presence, including Poeltl, kept the visitors within reach.