Raptors' Depth Gives Them the Edge Against a Thin Wizards Roster

By NBA Stat Desk How we produce articles

Toronto's deeper rotation should outlast a Wizards team missing three players.

TOR @ WAS Oct 23, 2026 at 11:00 PM UTC

Toronto arrives in Washington for its second game of the season, since the opener was October 21 against Chicago, and the Raptors have the more complete roster. The projected starting five of Quickley, Barrett, Leonard, Barnes and Poeltl is built around newly acquired Kawhi Leonard. It gives Toronto size, playmaking and a proven wing option against a Wizards group that is short on bodies.

Washington's injury report is the biggest swing factor. Dybantsa (ankle), Vukcevic (hip) and Watkins (ACL) are all out. That strips the Wizards of wing and big-man depth and leaves the rotation thin. The projected lineup features Young, George and Davis, and Davis is widely seen as the likely scoring leader. Toronto's defensive priority is clear: make Davis work for his points and force the supporting cast to carry more of the offense than it is ready for.

Toronto's bench could decide the second half. The young group of Murray-Boyles, Walter, Shead, Graves and Battle is still developing, but it should matter more against a depleted opponent. Allen Graves and Jamison Battle are the names to watch. The Raptors are not perfectly healthy either, with Bittle out (foot) and Hepburn questionable (hamstring), so guard depth is the one area where they could feel stretched.

Still, the gap in available talent is hard to ignore. Washington has real top-end names, and Davis can keep it competitive for stretches. But with so many rotation pieces missing, the Wizards will have a hard time matching Toronto's fresh legs and varied lineups over 48 minutes. I expect Toronto's starters to set the tone and its bench to protect the lead late.

Prediction: Raptors 112, Wizards 104.

All game reports