NBA: AJ Lawson’s career game guides Raptors past Wizards
Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) celebrates after his career high after sinking a 3-point basket during second-half NBA basketball game action against the Washington Wizards in Toronto, Monday, March 10, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Reserve A.J. Lawson set career bests with 32 points and 12 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Washington Wizards 119-104 in the NBA on Monday.
Immanuel Quickley added 15 points for the Raptors, who have won four of their past five games. RJ Barrett had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Scottie Barnes added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Orlando Robinson posted season highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Toronto had a 73-55 advantage in rebounds.
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Jordan Poole and Alex Sarr each scored 16 points for the Wizards, who had won two straight. Sarr added 11 rebounds. Tristan Vukcevic contributed 15 points, Kyshawn George had 13 points and five blocks and Corey Kispert also finished with 13 points.
The Raptors took advantage of six straight missed Washington shots to open the third quarter on a 10-0 run.
Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson, second from left, smiles as he is congratulated by teammate Orlando Robinson (21) after NBA basketball game action against the Washington Wizards in Toronto, Monday, March 10, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto scored five straight points off offensive rebounds to take an 11-point lead with 3:50 left in the third. The Raptors were up 93-79 after three quarters.
Washington cut the deficit to eight with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter on a three-point play from Sarr. Toronto took the steam out of a potential comeback with consecutive 3-pointers by Robinson and Lawson.
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George provided some early highlights. He had two blocks within the first two minutes, drained a 3-pointer and recorded his third block with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly took a nasty spill when fouled by Jamison Battle while making a dunk with 3:36 left in the first. Coulibaly missed the free throw before going to the locker room due to right hamstring tightness. He did not return to the game.
Battle also went to the locker room but returned. He did not play the second half, however. He was wearing a mask to protect a broken nose, and the injury was aggravated.
The score was 33-33 after one quarter.
Toronto had an advantage on the offensive glass that contributed to an 8-0 surge and a six-point lead with 4:56 to play in a fast-paced second quarter. The Raptors missed three consecutive shots, two on second-chance attempts, late in the first half that provided an opening for the Wizards, who closed the half on an 8-0 run capped by JT Thor’s 3-pointer to lead 60-59.
Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl (rest) did not play. Washington’s Richaun Holmes (ankle), Khris Middleton (knee) and Marcus Smart (finger) were out. –Field Level Media
