The Washington Wizards led the Toronto Raptors by 19 points at halftime and by as many as 23 in the third quarter. Yet, a colossal collapse that included the Wizards not making a field goal for the final 7:25 of the game led to the Raptors pulling off a stunning 111-107 comeback victory.
Washington extended its lead to 106-90 on a Bilal Coulibaly layup with 7:25 remaining in the final frame. However, the Raptors went on a 21-1 run capped by a go-ahead bucket by Pascal Siakam with 8.1 seconds left.
The Wizards missed their final ten shots from the field. Washington also added four turnovers. The only point scored in their final 15 offensive possession was a Kyle Kuzma free throw with 5:47 on the clock.
Toronto’s rally included a Shaqtin-a-Fool moment, as Kuzma walked over to Washington’s bench to get head coach Wes Unseld Jr. to challenge an official call. Instead, the Raptors inbound the ball and scored as Kuzma frantically tried to race back on defense.
Looking to answer Siakam’s go-ahead basket in the waning moments, Kuzma stepped out of bounds. Meanwhile, the Raptors counted by making 8 of their last 12 field goals.
Siakam finished the game with a game-high 39 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists. The Wizards, who dropped to a 2-8 record, wasted a 34-point performance by Kuzma.
Wizards guard Jordan Poole finished with 14 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field. He was 2-of-6 from three. Poole has now scored 14 points or less in six of ten games this season.
