The Washington Wizards were outmatched in game two inside the Capital One Arena after falling, 112-102, against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Trae Young eclipsed 20 points for the third straight game in a Wizards uniform dating back to last season, while Tre Johnson added 20 points after shooting 50% from both the field and three. Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly added 11 points each, though George also notched a career-high eight turnovers, while Anthony Davis added nine points, nine rebounds.
Yet with Washington shooting 17.6% through the first nine minutes, the Raptors would take control of the opening quarter after forcing five turnovers while the defense proved to stifle Washington's half court offense. It didn't slow down, either, as the Raptors turned to trap Trae Young once he crossed half court despite leading by 15 in the final minute of the first quarter.
The shooting would pick up for Washington in the second, highlighted by a pair of made threes from Trae Young with one coming after seconds of waiting at the top of the key. It helped cut the lead to single digits, yet the Wizards would struggle to chip away any further with the Raptors leading the way in all 24 minutes of the first half.
Part of those first half struggles stemmed from the Raptors turning to also double Anthony Davis near the paint, forcing the veteran to start 2-for-9 through his first 15 minutes on the floor.
The Wizards were able to start the second half with a 9-4 run to make it a one possession game once again, followed by Tre Johnson drilling a three in transition to make it a four point game, but the Raptors were able to answer back each time with the Wizards unable to climb the hurdle. Yet Justin Champagnie would give the Wizards another chance after knocking down three consecutive buckets in as many possessions, including the first coming off an offensive rebound, to make it a one score game again in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Yet it would not materialize into anything further while Scottie Barnes was able to capitalize in a favorable matchup against Khris Middleton down the stretch en route to a game-high 28 points.
Tre Johnson's three point touch would keep the Wizards in it over the final nine minutes in regulation, but careless turnovers loomed large in attempted comeback efforts down the stretch. Alex Sarr's fumble with five minutes left in an eight point game served as the first nail in the coffin before Tre Johnson lost the handle one minute later in an 11 point game.
The Wizards will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24 for the first road game of the season when they take on the Chicago Bulls. Tipoff is set for 8 PM ET.