Yuta Watanabe registered NBA personal-highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in his first start of the season, but the Toronto Raptors lost 144-99 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 27-year-old played 37 minutes and picked up his second double-double in the NBA, two weeks after his first when he scored 12 points and picked up 10 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings.
The defeat leaves the Raptors with a 14-16 record this season.
His Japan teammate Rui Hachimura was the bench but did not take to the court as the Washington Wizards lost 117-96 against the Philadelphia 76ers.