San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) controls the ball while being defended by Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half of an NBA game in Toronto on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Thomas Skrlj)
The Toronto Raptors are feeling the effects of constant travel and an exhausting 82-game season. Their struggles were evident in Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, where they suffered a crushing 123-89 defeat. The team had just returned from a tough four-game West Coast trip before heading straight to Washington, D.C., for back-to-back games.
Scottie Barnes, who led the Raptors with 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists, admitted that the team lacked energy. "They came out and punched us in the mouth," he said, referring to the Spurs’ dominant performance. However, he remained optimistic, noting that having another game the next day gives them a chance to bounce back.
Despite the tough loss, Barnes reached a major milestone, becoming the fastest player in Raptors history to surpass 2,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in just 267 games. "I just try to do everything I can to help us win," he said.
RJ Barrett, returning after missing three of the four road games, contributed 18 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, rookie Ja’Kobe Walter, who had been sidelined for seven games with a hip injury, added 10 points off the bench.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the impact of fatigue on the team’s performance. Playing against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco just days earlier left the team drained. "That first home game after a long road trip is always tough," he said. "We had no energy, and they controlled the game from the start."
Rajakovic also pointed out that Barrett and Walter were still trying to find their rhythm after missing games. "We need to be much better, and I expect us to improve in our next game," he added.
With a 24-47 record, the Raptors currently hold the seventh-worst record in the league. This gives them a 32% chance of securing a top-four pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery on May 12, with a 7.5% chance at landing the first overall selection.
Meanwhile, their next opponents, the Washington Wizards (15-55), are among the bottom three teams in the league. Washington, along with Utah and Charlotte, has a 52.1% chance of a top-four pick and a 14% shot at the No. 1 pick.
The Raptors’ fatigue is evident, but they have another chance to redeem themselves against Washington. As the season winds down, their focus will be on finishing strong and potentially improving their draft position.
