Toronto Raptors fans have a couple of wins to enjoy, but I think there’s something more interesting to watch than the early-season record. The Raptors have won their first two games, and the second, against Washington, reminded everyone that a team doesn’t have to play beautifully to find a way to win.

Toronto beat the Wizards 112–102 on Friday, but the game was closer than that final score might suggest. Washington fought its way back from a 17-point deficit and got within a point in the third quarter. The Raptors had to respond, and they did.

What Stands Out from the Raptors’ First Two Games

For me, three things stand out from these first two games.

First, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are giving Toronto a dependable foundation. Barnes finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds against Washington, while Barrett added 23 points. That’s a pretty good night’s work from two players the Raptors need to lead the way. They didn’t wait for somebody else to rescue them.

Second, keep an eye on Collin Murray-Boyles. He scored eight points, but his contribution went well beyond the scoring column. He made plays defensively, collected three steals and finished with a team-best plus-21 rating. That’s impressive impact in just over 17 minutes.

A young player doesn’t have to score 20 points to help win a basketball game. Sometimes it’s a timely steal, a bit of defensive pressure or the energy that changes the feel of a possession. Murray-Boyles is giving Toronto reasons to believe he can do that. It’s early, of course, but these signs are encouraging.

Third, there’s Kawhi Leonard. He finished with 16 points, missing the 20-point mark after going two-for-eight from three-point range. Two more successful shots from beyond the arc could have changed his scoring total considerably. That’s part of the story, too: Toronto won without getting the kind of shooting night Leonard might have wanted.

The Raptors Had Their Struggles and Still Won

The Raptors also struggled from long range as a team, making just seven of 34 three-point attempts. That’s not a winning formula every night. But Toronto kept defending, competing and answering Washington’s runs. The Raptors steadied themselves in the fourth quarter and finished the job.

Two games don’t tell us what kind of season this will be. Still, they offer an encouraging early lesson: Toronto has scoring leaders, useful contributions from younger players and enough fight to respond when a game gets uncomfortable.

The next step is making that effort more consistent. For now, a 2–0 start gives Raptors fans something to feel good about—and a few interesting players to keep watching.

Related: Cooper Flagg’s 32 Points Tell One Story. His Attitude Tells Another