Raptors’ Barnes Faces Off Against Warriors’ Butler in Crucial Showdown

SAN FRANCISCO, California — As the Toronto Raptors take to the court against the Golden State Warriors Thursday night, all eyes will be on Scottie Barnes, who reunites with Jimmy Butler in a pivotal NBA matchup. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Chase Center, with NBC Sports Bay Area airing pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m.

The Warriors are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 40-29 and closing out a seven-game homestand. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Raptors hold a disappointing 24-45 record, placing them 11th in the East, as they look ahead to the highly anticipated 2025 NBA draft lottery.

Barnes, 23, has emerged as a core player for Toronto, having signed a rookie maximum extension last summer worth $224.9 million over five years. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward leads the Raptors statistically, averaging 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 19.5 points, and 7.8 rebounds per game. His multifaceted skill set makes him the most critical player for Toronto as they aim for an upset against the Warriors.

In this game, Barnes will be matched against Butler, who serves as Golden State’s primary defender. The two players faced off nine times in the Eastern Conference, with Barnes holding a 5-4 edge in those matchups, although Butler recorded slightly better individual statistics, including two triple-doubles.

Butler, 35, has provided the Warriors with stable leadership since joining the team, significantly enhancing the performance of both role players and superstars alike. So far this season, he has averaged 17.2 points on 44.8-percent shooting in 17 games with Golden State, although his three-point shooting sits at just 22.9 percent. However, he excels at getting to the free-throw line, converting 87.4 percent of his attempts, ranking eighth in the league with 127 attempts during his time with the Warriors.

Recently, Butler’s scoring has improved, as he averages 18.9 points over his last seven games on 45.9 percent shooting and has reached 40 percent from beyond the arc. In a notable performance this Tuesday, Butler was Golden State’s top scorer, notching 24 points in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

As the Warriors continue to push through a tight playoff race, having won eight of their last nine games, they are aiming for their first 6-1 homestand since January 2022. The matchup against the Raptors will be crucial for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges this season.