Raptors Look to Bounce Back Post-Holiday in Washington, But Health and Consistency Loom Large
The holiday lights are still twinkling, but for the Toronto Raptors, the time for festive cheer is over. Since their historic Christmas Day appearance on Canadian soil back in 2019, the Raptors have struggled to find their rhythm in the first game back from the break. They’ve dropped four of their last five post-holiday openers, with the lone win coming last year against the Wizards.
Now, here we are again: Raptors vs. Wizards, the day after Christmas.
And while the calendar says December, this matchup feels more like a must-win than a post-holiday tune-up. Toronto’s got a brutal five-game homestand waiting for them back north, and if they want to build any momentum heading into that stretch, it starts with taking care of business in D.C.
Injury Bug Bites Again
The Raptors are limping into this one, both figuratively and literally. RJ Barrett remains sidelined with a knee injury that’s now kept him out for 14 straight games.
Jakob Poeltl, dealing with a nagging back issue, has missed four of the last five. The lone exception?
A brief, seven-minute appearance against Brooklyn that did little to shift the needle.
With two key starters out, head coach Darko Rajakovic will once again be forced to get creative with his rotations. That means more minutes for the trio of Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and rookie Ja’Kobe Walter-all of whom have shown flashes, but none have truly seized the moment yet.
One name to watch? Jamison Battle.
The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter has quietly been earning more floor time, logging double-digit minutes in six of the last eight games. While he hasn’t had a breakout performance yet, the Raptors may not have the luxury of waiting much longer.
His shooting stroke and size could be just what this depleted roster needs to spark some offense.
If Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) can’t go after a career night against the Heat, expect more run for Jonathan Mogbo, who’s been a physical presence in limited minutes. Sandro Mamukelashvili also turned heads in Miami and could be leaned on again if the frontcourt depth continues to thin.
Wizards Still Searching for Answers
Let’s be honest: there hasn’t been much magic in Washington this season. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued a roster that, on paper, had the makings of a scrappy play-in contender. Instead, they’ve become one of the league’s toughest watches at home.
Cam Whitmore, a promising offseason acquisition, is set to miss his seventh straight game. First, it was a shoulder injury. Now, he’s dealing with deep vein thrombosis-an unfortunate and serious development that’s put his return timeline in question.
Corey Kispert, who just returned from a month-long absence due to a thumb injury, is back on the shelf with hamstring tightness. He logged just 13 minutes in his return against Charlotte before being ruled out again.
The one bright spot? Alex Sarr.
The rookie big man has been a revelation when healthy, averaging 18.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. That’s not just solid production for a first-year player-that’s borderline All-Star level.
But even Sarr is being handled with care, limited by a toe injury and an adductor strain that’s kept him on a managed workload.
Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly are also back in action, though both are still under medical supervision. Bub Carrington, another standout for Washington this season, appears to have avoided a serious injury scare and should be available.
Scottie Barnes Needs to Set the Tone
For the Raptors to come out of Washington with a win, they’ll need Scottie Barnes to be the version of himself that demands the ball, not the one who drifts through possessions. When Barnes is aggressive-especially early-the Raptors often look like a different team. When he’s passive, they fall flat.
Just look at the numbers: the only two games this season where Barnes failed to score in double digits were against San Antonio (Oct. 27) and Brooklyn (Dec. 21).
Both were ugly losses. In those games, he took just seven and 10 shots, respectively-far too few for a player of his caliber and importance to the team’s offense.
Barnes typically gets a breather around the six-minute mark of the first quarter, but it’s critical that he comes out firing. Whether it’s attacking the paint, facilitating from the elbow, or simply looking for his own shot, Barnes has to be the engine early and often.
Bottom Line
The Raptors don’t have time to ease back into the season. With key players still sidelined and a tough stretch ahead, this game in Washington is more than just another date on the calendar-it’s a chance to reset the tone heading into the new year.
If Toronto wants to avoid another post-holiday letdown, they’ll need a statement performance from their young core, a spark from the bench, and a lead-by-example night from Scottie Barnes. The Wizards are wounded, but they’ve still got enough talent to make things difficult if the Raptors don’t bring their best.
Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet. Let’s see if the Raptors can unwrap a much-needed win.