Breadcrumb Trail Links
Sports
Basketball
NBA
Beasts on the boards all night, Toronto easily able to overcome poor shooting.
Published Mar 10, 2025 • 2 minute read
A.J. Lawson
Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) and Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic (00) collide during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Monday. Photo by Nathan Denette /The Canadian Press
Article content
A first career start for Canadian A.J. Lawson at home Friday was a story, but him being the best player on the floor two games later was a bigger one.
Advertisement 2
The Province
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
Article content
Lawson, who grew up in Brampton and played high school basketball in Mississauga, broke out for 32 points, including seven three-pointers, this time off the bench, in Monday’s 119-104 Raptors win over the Washington Wizards. The Raptors set a franchise record for rebounds, with four players grabbing at least 10 in a game for the first time since the team’s inception. Four players had double-doubles, including Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.
Lawson had never scored more than 17 in the NBA or hit more than four three-pointers, and his exploits were needed, as the other Raptors struggled mightily offensively, hitting only nine more three-pointers combined.
Only 10 Raptors have ever hit more three-pointers in a game than Lawson and he threw down an emphatic dunk late for good measure, shortly before collecting his 12th rebound of the game. Toronto shot under 40%, yet won the game, with 28 offensive rebounds helping quite a bit.
Canucks Report Banner
Canucks Report
Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
The Raptors started two players who have split time in the G League and NBA this season in Jared Rhoden and Orlando Robinson, alongside regulars Barnes, Barrett and Quickley.
Loading...
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Shooting guards Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and Ja’Kobe Walter all remained out due to injuries, while centre Jakob Poeltl was rested.
Washington rested veterans Khris Middleton, Richaun Holmes and Marcus Smart and injured guard Malcolm Brogdon.
The teams had met here two nights earlier in a memorable tilt that ended with a layup by Jamal Shead at the buzzer being negated on instant replay, allowing the Wizards to escape with a win.
In this one Washington led 60-59 at halftime. Toronto hit only 24.2% from the field (4-for-17 from two-point range, 4-for-16 on three-pointers) in an ugly display.
Advertisement 4
Article content
The third quarter was a far different story, with the Raptors shooting 47% from the field and holding Washington to 28%, a big reason the score was 93-79 Raptors with Lawson up to 25. They kept pouring it on from there and improved to 22-43. Washington is a league-worst 13-50.
Raptors forward Jamison Battle collided early with Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly after a Coulibaly dunk and both players were shaken up, with Coulibaly falling hard to the court. Battle briefly returned, before leaving, while Coulibaly, Washington’s top young player, did not.
Toronto hosts Nick Nurse’s injury decimated Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday before heading west for four games, the last long road trip of the season.
@WolstatSun
Recommended from Editorial
[Raptors guard Jamal Shead reacts to a potential game-winning basket against the Washington Wizards with his teammates before it was ruled no basket on Saturday.
Expect more Raptors wackiness after wild two weeks](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/expect-more-raptors-wackiness-after-wild-two-weeks)
2. [A.J. Lawson of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball up court against the Utah Jazz during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 7, 2025 in Toronto.
A.J. Lawson gets to live dream starting for hometown Raptors](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/a-j-lawson-gets-to-live-dream-starting-for-hometown-raptors)
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Featured Local Savings