Barnes and Barrett Spark Raptors Past Wizards to Improve to 2-0

The Toronto Raptors improved to a 2-0 record on the young National Basketball Association season with a 112-102 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 23, 2026, according to reporting from sportsnet.ca and Raptors HQ. The road win marks the franchise’s first 2-0 start since 2019, the season the team won its first league championship. Despite shooting struggles from beyond the arc and a high volume of fouls, Toronto relied on defensive intensity and a massive rebounding effort to neutralize Washington’s towering frontcourt.

Scottie Barnes Leads Raptors Past Washington Frontcourt

Scottie Barnes paced the Raptors with a game-high 28 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, anchoring a physical defensive scheme that slowed down Washington’s newly assembled trio of big men. The Wizards utilized a frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton, but the Raptors consistently disrupted their offensive flow. We just play hard, that’s all you can do. Play hard, try to be as physical as you can within what the refs allow. RJ Barrett added 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists on 9-of-16 shooting to steady the offense while other perimeter shooters struggled.

The defensive effort against Washington’s stars was notable, as Davis—who scored 34 points in his season opener—was held to just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.

Shooting Woes and Turnovers Plague Both Rosters

While Toronto controlled the game early—building a 34-21 lead after the first quarter and stretching the advantage to 17 points in the second—the team struggled significantly with outside shooting. Washington guard Kyshawn George contributed 11 points and eight turnovers against the aggressive Raptors defense. The Raptors headed into halftime with a 60-52 lead. During the third quarter, the team’s shooting woes persisted as they hit only one of their 12 attempts from beyond the arc, until Jamison Battle connected on a triple with 12 seconds remaining to give Toronto an 81-77 lead entering the final frame. The team was bolstered in the early fourth quarter by bench contributions from Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, and Allen Graves, who were flanked by Carrington, George, and Middleton.

Upcoming Matchup Against Minnesota Awaits Toronto

Having navigated their first road test against a physically imposing opponent, the Raptors turn their attention to a Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. as Toronto looks to extend its winning streak. While the roster depth has been tested, some players remain on the fringes of the rotation; Riley was a DNP-CD in the season opener and only played the final minute of Friday’s contest after the benches were emptied.