How Did Warriors Lose to Raptors?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 10:28 PM ET

Monday set the Golden State Warriors up for success. However, as the Warriors experienced in the 2024-25 season, plans don't always come to fruition. Despite playing one of the worst teams in the NBA, the short-handed Warriors fell to the lottery-bound Toronto Raptors 104-101.

The Scotiabank Arena crowd experienced quite the game. With the largest lead at nine points, held by the Warriors, Raptors fans had all the reason to believe their team could pull off the upset. Unfortunately for Warriors fans, losing to the Raptors with significant injuries still holds true six years after the 2019 NBA Finals.

Draymond Green didn't suit up due to a back issue, exposing the Warriors' defense to the young-and-nothing-to-lose Raptors. Moreover, the Warriors' interior defense suffered mightily, as evident in the Raptors' 50-26 advantage regarding points in the paint.

Despite recording more 3s and rebounds, the Warriors fell to the Raptors.

Curry led the game with 26 points on 4 for 10 shooting from 3.

Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes scored 23 points, grabbed eight boards, ejected two shots, and accumulated two steals.

While Curry shot 40 percent from 3 and recorded a perfect 4 for 4 mark from the free-throw line, he failed to convert a triple to tie the contest in the game's final minute.

In fairness, though, the team couldn't get the job done. They missed three consecutive triples, with Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield significantly missing the mark.

The Warriors are now 1-4 in their last five games and continue to slide out of the NBA Play-In Tournament picture despite their 19-20 record. On Wednesday, the Curry-led team will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, giving them the opportunity to return to playing .500 basketball with a victory.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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