Raptors and Warriors Set for Thrilling Matchup at Chase Center

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Toronto Raptors are preparing to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at the Chase Center, where Raptors forward Scottie Barnes will encounter Jimmy Butler, his former Eastern Conference rival now donning the Warriors’ colors.

The matchup, which will broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area starting at 6 p.m. with Warriors Pregame, is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off. This game marks the culmination of a seven-game homestand for the Warriors, currently positioned sixth in the Western Conference with a record of 40-29. Meanwhile, the Raptors, sitting at 24-45 and placed 11th in the East, are looking for fortune in the upcoming 2025 NBA draft lottery.

At just 23 years old, Barnes has quickly established himself as a crucial player for the Raptors, earning a rookie maximum extension last summer valued at $224.9 million over five years. Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 225 pounds, Barnes leads Toronto in assists (5.9 per game) and steals (1.5 per game) while ranking second in scoring (19.5 points per game) and rebounding (7.8 per game). As a 2024 NBA All-Star, he represents Toronto’s best chance at an upset.

On the other side, Butler, aged 35, has significantly contributed to the Warriors’ success since joining the team. He brings experience and strong leadership, which has helped elevate the play of his teammates, including stars like Stephen Curry. In 17 games with the Warriors, Butler averages 17.2 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the field, and while his three-point shooting sits at a modest 22.9 percent, he excels at the free-throw line with an impressive 87.4 percent success rate. His 127 free-throw attempts during this stretch rank him eighth in the league.

Butler’s performance has been steadily improving; over the last seven games, he scores an average of 18.9 points with a shooting percentage of 45.9, including 40 percent from three-point range. He was Golden State’s leading scorer for the first time this season, tallying 24 points in a victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

As the playoff race in the West heats up, the Warriors are eager to extend their winning streak to eight of their last nine games, seeking to secure their first 6-1 homestand since January 2022. In contrast, the Raptors are looking to create momentum with Barnes leading the charge against a fierce Warriors defense, spearheaded by Butler.