The Toronto Raptors lost their 10th straight game after a 112-109 loss to the Washington Wizards.
This matches Toronto’s longest losing streak since 2011.
The Raptors were once again shorthanded, but they nonetheless welcomed Gary Trent Jr. into the starting lineup. He missed the last game because of back spasms.
Trent Jr. led all scorers with 31 points, rookie Gradey Dick scored 17 and Kelly Olynyk had 14 points and 10 assists.
Bruce Brown missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer for Toronto, which would have forced overtime.
The Raptors are now 1-11 this month and haven’t won since March 3.
This was the Raptors’ best chance to end their losing streak. At one point they led by 11, but that was then followed by a 13-0 run for the Wizards.
The Raptors lost their top three scorers and only had eight healthy players available, which proved too much to overcome.
Deni Avdija scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma made big baskets down the stretch as the Wizards won their second straight game.
Richaun Homes grabbed 14 of the Wizards’ 55 rebounds, compared to Toronto’s 42.
“We had trouble rebounding the ball. They scored timely baskets and difficult, contested shots. But the main difference in tonight’s game was the rebounding,” said Darko Rajakovic.
Toronto is now a full game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth-worst record in the league.
The Raptors have 11 games remaining in the 2023-24 season.
Next at your fingertips
The Raptors will look to end their 10-game losing streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets on March 25.
This will be one of Toronto’s last chances to win a game this season.
With the Raptors missing many key players, they will likely be underdogs the rest of the way.
