Raptors vs. Wizards: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Toronto Raptors (21-21) play against the Washington Wizards (22-22) at Capital One Arena

Game Time: 8:00 PM EST on Friday January 21, 2022

Toronto Raptors 55, Washington Wizards 54 (Half)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Wizards trail the Raptors 55-54 at halftime. Scottie Barnes leads all scorers with 17 pts. He had 10 in the 2nd. Wizards have 11 TOs, 9 of which came in the 2nd quarter. – 9:03 PM Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Halftime: Raptors 55, Wizards 54
Beal: 8 p, 3 r, 7 a.
Dinwiddie: 6 p, 4 r, 2 a.
Avdija: 4 p, 3 r, 3 a
Barnes: 17 p, 0 r, 0 a
Turnovers (opp. pts.): Raptors 5 (9), Wizards 11 (18) – 9:02 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Raptors close the half on a 28-14 run. Some great defensive work from VanVleet, Trent and Barnes. Scottie had 10 of his 17 points in the 2nd quarter; he’s been dominant. Just 7 first-half points for the bench, but the starters are doing the heavy lifting again. Raps by 1. – 9:02 PM Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Halftime: Raptors 55, Wizards 54. Wiz are up to 11 turnovers, Beal didn’t score in the second. – 9:02 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors up 55-54 at the half, can’t say I saw that coming but good on ’em – 9:01 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Wizards with an atrocious 9 turnovers for 18 Raptors points in the second quarter alone – 9:01 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Raptors lead 55-54 after a half. I’m sure there’s a reason Daniel Gafford played the first 6:26 and didn’t return for the Wizards, but I can’t think of it. – 9:01 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Too nice, Deni 👌
#DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/IyVWX4FqfH – 9:01 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
That’s three over and back turnovers by the Wizards – 9:00 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
The Wizards just turned the ball over 6 times in a span of 3 minutes and 11 seconds. The Wizards were up 7 when that stretch began, now the Raptors lead. – 8:59 PM Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
The Raptors have turned up their defense, and the Wizards have faltered. The Wizards now are up to 11 turnovers, leading to 16 Raptors points. – 8:59 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
🤯🤯🤯
@ScottBarnes561 🤝 @Fred VanVleet pic.twitter.com/jd4sXkMgeb – 8:59 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
You don’t appreciate how good VanVleet is at digging in until you watch other guys try and fail to do it. – 8:58 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Scottie Barnes has 15 points and no other stats, just like all the draft experts predicted. – 8:55 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Trezz showing off the vision!
#DCAboveAll | @Montrezl Harrell pic.twitter.com/TtZcCymfeW – 8:55 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Wizards’ 13-point lead is a thing of the past with Raptors going on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 47 – 8:53 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Scottie Barnes as a screener. Who woulda thought? – 8:51 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors guarding a big better, could use Siakam to get going offensively but only down 5 – 8:51 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Great ball movement for the Wizards so far in this game. 14 assists midway through the 2nd quarter. Bradley Beal leads the way with 6 assists in 13 minutes. Wiz shooting 51.2%. – 8:50 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
Spin, Step-back, Shot
#OGAnunoby l #NBAAllStar
1 RT = 1 Vote pic.twitter.com/NVwLsqk8J5 – 8:47 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Weaving through the defense.
#DCAboveAll | @Rui Hachimura pic.twitter.com/FheLApDzld – 8:47 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Wizards bench 20 points
Raptors bench 0 points
By all means, play more guys – 8:43 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Wizards have a 20-0 advantage in bench points. – 8:42 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors getting back cut and pick and rolled to death. – 8:41 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
This not been Precious Achiuwa’s finest hour
Among a few Raptors – 8:39 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Season-best six made 3-pointers for PJ Washington. He’s missed just one of his seven attempts. Has 18 points off the bench. – 8:38 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Rough quarter. 8 Raptors players have gotten in, so rotation has expanded a bit, but still no bench points for Toronto. Wizards reserves with a 10-0 advantage. Washington lead is 10. – 8:36 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Off to a hot start 🔥
Beal: 8 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST
Gafford: 6 PTS, 3-5 FG, 3 REB
#DCAboveAll | @CapitalOne – 8:34 PM Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
The first quarter was a strong energy quarter for the Wizards: energetic and dialed in. They beat the Raptors to some loose basketballs. Joseph Blair said he wanted the Wizards to match or surpass the Raptors’ energy from the outset, and the Wizards succeeded. They lead 30-20. – 8:34 PM Ava Wallace @avarwallace
After one, the Wizards lead the Raptors 30-20.
Beal has 8 points. The Wiz have *22* in the paint after one. Ball movement lewkin good – 8:34 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Good start for the Wizards. They lead the Raptors 30-20 after one. Beal leads all scorers with 8 pts. Raptors are shooting 38.1% FG, 3-10 3PT and have 4 TOs. 22 PITP already for Wiz. – 8:33 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Brutal Raptors quarter, they’re lucky to be down 10
But, lots of quarters left – 8:33 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Raptors trail 30-20 after a soft, soft quarter. – 8:33 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors putting up no resistance defensively in the paint – 8:31 PM Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Davis Bertans averages more fights per game than points. – 8:30 PM Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Thomas Bryant was hurt? – 8:26 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Scottie Barnes’ drop step and lefty hook on the block might be the Raptors hilight tonight. – 8:25 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Yuta Watanabe is on the floor vs Rui! – 8:24 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors can’t make a shot but at least they’re turning it over and not defending particularly well
Wizards by 8 – 8:22 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Daniel Gafford’s a pretty big guy, somehow the Raptors have totally lost him in about 3 possessions – 8:20 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Nick Nurse always throws the kitchen sink at Bradley Beal, has led to Deni Avdija finding an open Daniel Gafford twice already midway through the first quarter – 8:19 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
Welcome back, @Gary Trent Jr. pic.twitter.com/e961hA6l9D – 8:18 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Quick timeout for the Raptors after Wizards score a series of increasingly easy buckets and lead by 7 – 8:14 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Wizards on fire to start with 4-4 shooting including 2 threes for 10 points in the opening 1:53 (255 point pace)
Nick Nurse takes an early timeout – 8:13 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
🔥 FLAMES 🔥
#DCAboveAll | @Rui Hachimura pic.twitter.com/JZQaV9Iobw – 8:05 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Scott Foster is officiating Wizards-Raptors – 7:56 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Rockin’ with Rui.
#DCAboveAll | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/3dWaWvHgrZ – 7:53 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
Tonight’s @invisalign Starting Lineup pic.twitter.com/zNGq6bIcOJ – 7:50 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
ready to hoop 🏀 pic.twitter.com/8XvoCPi9z8 – 7:45 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
End of first quarter: #Hornets 37, Thunder 20
PJ Washington is 3 for 3 from 3 and has 9 points
Hornets hit 15 of 23 shots (65.2%) – 7:35 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Raptors starting VanVleet, Trent, Barnes, Anunoby, Siakam vs Washington. – 7:35 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Shots 🆙
#DCAboveAll | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/LGdrWGLzs3 – 7:34 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
The evolution of the Papa John’s 50% off Wizards promotion is hilarious
Back in the day it used to be 100+ points and a win, last season it was 120+ points, this season it is 115+ points – 7:34 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors go back to smallish starting group with VanVleet, Trent, Barnes, Anunoby, Siakam against the Wizards – 7:31 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Deni Avdija will start in Kyle Kuzma’s place as he sits due to a neck issue:
Dinwiddie, Beal, KCP, Avdija, Gafford – 7:31 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Tonight’s starters #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/E0zg1etVvA – 7:30 PM James Plowright @British_Buzz
PJ Washington ditches the braids and sinks his first three after 16 straight misses – 7:27 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
friday fits pic.twitter.com/lVSG86ZlXD – 7:27 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
The Wizards and Raptors will square off at *8* pm on ⁦@NBCSWashington⁩. Kyle Kuzma is out, so a good opportunity for Rui Hachimura on Japanese Heritage Night.
My 3 keys to the game (w/ video of Rui and Beal warming up)👇 pic.twitter.com/pNeIxwbReT – 7:11 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
One-hour warning 🚨
📍 @CapitalOneArena
🎙 @1067theFan
📺 @NBCSWashington
#DCAboveAll | @CapitalOne – 7:00 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Nick wasn’t sure who will start for the Raptors tonight. It’ll be interesting to see who it is and it’ll be interesting see if anyone suggests he’s wrong for *not* playing someone a lot – 6:54 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Friday fits and kicks 🔥
#DCAboveAll | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/5jQp4Mg6rw – 6:45 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Nurse anticipates using Yuta Watanabe in the rotation tonight. “I’ve gotta start playing some other players, I think.” – 6:44 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Nick Nurse is as pumped as any Japanese basketball fan for the historic nature of Watanabe-Hachimura
“This is it. Tonight’s the night” – 6:43 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
“Takeshi, man. This is it!” – Nick Nurse on Yuta Watanabe vs. Rui Hachimura – 6:43 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Gary Trent is back for Raptors Wizards – 6:42 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Nurse, asked how VanVleet, Siakam and Co. feel about their increased minutes: “They love it. They love the minutes. They love to play. They love how we’re doing it. They’re absolutely 100% on board.” – 6:38 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Nick Nurse says Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam “love” the tight rotation and the extra minutes they’re getting these days – 6:37 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Gary Trent Jr. cleared to return for the Raptors tonight after missing six games with ankle swelling – 6:34 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Gary Trent Jr. has been cleared to play vs. Wizards. – 6:34 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Trent returns vs Washington tonight. Raptors were held under 100 points in 4 of the 6 games he missed with the ankle injury, averaging 97.8 over that stretch (nearly 10 fewer than their season average), so yeah, they’ve missed him. – 6:34 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Gary Trent Jr. will play tonight – 6:34 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Gary Trent Jr. (ankle swelling) will play against Washington on Friday night. He missed the last six games. – 6:34 PM The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
The WNBPA hints at expansion 👀
“You fly to Nashville, Toronto, and the Bay Area, too, right?”
https://t.co/Y8bZDdryIY pic.twitter.com/KUjeUILWoH – 6:25 PM Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Kyle Kuzma is out vs. the Raptors tonight with neck spasms, per Wizards. – 6:12 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Just noticed David Johnson is in Health and Safety protocols. That leaves one Raptors player who has yet to enter protocols this season. Mary Brown’s Chicken may be the secret 👀 – 6:10 PM Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Kyle Kuzma will not play tonight due to neck spasms, the Wizards announced. – 6:09 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Kyle Kuzma (neck spasms) will not play tonight vs. Toronto. – 6:08 PM Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Wizards say Kyle Kuzma (neck sprain) will not play tonight vs. Toronto. – 6:08 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Rep The District with the newest cans from @MichelobULTRA!
Available now! pic.twitter.com/dQMMLJ0cNj – 6:02 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
Sviji
Open Gym presented by @Bell
SZN10 – E12: https://t.co/7vhJJuHjn3 pic.twitter.com/uXKrMKtZDz – 5:38 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
Raptors 6-Game Slam Dunk jackpot is $16,195.00 and growing!
Play now for your chance to win: https://t.co/Nx3CL9gsKl
#WeTheNorth | @AccessStorageCA pic.twitter.com/pJb7o5eGDB – 5:27 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
PJ Washington is available to play against Oklahoma City.
“He should be good to go tonight.” — James Borrego pic.twitter.com/M1FHCT4dHV – 5:18 PM Toronto Raptors @Raptors
8:00pm EST
10:00am JST
See you then 👀 #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/1ScmYcTDTd – 4:15 PM Washington Wizards @WashWizards
Versatile forwards ready to battle it out.
#DCAboveAll | @CapitalOne pic.twitter.com/xV2PHyMxjB – 2:00 PM