TORONTO – The rigours of an 82-game season and all of the journey that comes with it are catching as much as the Toronto Raptors.
Scottie Barnes had 22 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists as Toronto got here out flat in a 123-89 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. The Raptors had simply returned from a four-game West Coast swing and instantly left for Washington, D.C., after the sport to face the Wizards on Monday, the primary of two away video games.
“They got here on the market and punched us within the mouth,” mentioned Barnes of the Spurs. “However we’ve received a recreation tomorrow. That’s the very best factor in regards to the NBA.
“We’ve received one other recreation tomorrow the place we will go on the market and attempt to show ourselves once more.”
Barnes reached 2,000 rebounds in his profession on Sunday, reaching the milestone in 267 video games. He’s the quickest participant in franchise historical past to have greater than 2,000 rebounds and over 1,000 assists.
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“I’m simply making an attempt to play to win, it doesn’t matter what,” mentioned Barnes. “All the pieces that I do on the market on the ground is particularly simply making an attempt to win, making an attempt to do my greatest on the market, making an attempt to do something that’s attainable.”
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RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., had 18 factors and 7 rebounds after he missed three of Toronto’s 4 video games on the street. Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter got here off the bench for 10 factors after he missed seven video games with a proper hip flexor.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned that managing his workforce’s apply time was a problem after it performed in San Francisco towards the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening.
“It’s at all times the identical once you go on the West Coast, come again from an extended street journey, for that first residence recreation,” mentioned Rajakovic. “We simply didn’t have any power. We have been so sluggish at first of the sport, they have been dictating all the pieces offensively and defensively.
“RJ, coming again after lacking seven days, first recreation for Ja’Kobe after lacking a while as nicely, these guys discovering some rhythm. We didn’t play adequate tonight. We must be a lot better, and I count on us to be a lot better tomorrow.”
Toronto (24-47) has the seventh-worst document within the NBA, giving the Raptors a 32 per cent probability at drawing a top-four choose and a 7.5 per cent probability of profitable the highest choice within the NBA Draft lottery on Could 12.
Washington (15-55) is tied with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets with a 52.1 per cent probability of being within the prime 4 and a 14 per cent probability at No. 1 general.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed March 23, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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