Let’s address the elephant in the room first, Dub Nation. Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury against Miami on Saturday night, and while the Warriors pulled out a 135-112 victory, the mood feels less celebratory and more cautiously optimistic. Butler’s status for Tuesday remains uncertain, which means the Warriors might be walking into Toronto without one of their most important two-way weapons.
Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors
When: January 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game
This isn’t just any road game. This is a revenge game wrapped in psychological warfare. The last time these teams met in Toronto, Scottie Barnes put together a performance that belonged in a museum, dropping 23 points and grabbing 25 rebounds in a 141-127 overtime victory that left Warriors fans questioning the meaning of existence itself. That loss exposed Golden State’s kryptonite in the most painful way possible: getting physically dominated on the glass and watching leads evaporate like morning fog.
Toronto enters this game after getting handled 110-93 by the Lakers on Sunday, a contest where Luka Doncic and LeBron James reminded everyone what veteran excellence looks like. The Raptors shot just 39.8% from the field and got outscored 30-17 in the fourth quarter, the kind of finishing struggle that should give the Warriors hope if Butler can’t go. But here’s the thing: this Toronto team is 25-19 for a reason. Barnes remains one of the most versatile young players in basketball, and Brandon Ingram still provides silky mid-range assassination and is playing at an All-Star level.
For the Warriors, this game represents a critical test of depth and adaptability. If Butler sits, Steph Curry will need to shoulder an even heavier offensive burden, something he’s done brilliantly this season but which carries real physical costs. Draymond Green’s ability to facilitate and control pace becomes absolutely essential. Can he replicate the 21-point, 7-assist performance he delivered in that Toronto loss?
The rebounding battle will define this game. Toronto grabbed 55 boards in their last matchup with Golden State while the Warriors managed just 42. That 13-rebound deficit translated directly into second-chance points and momentum swings. Without Butler’s physicality and rebounding presence, guys like Trayce Jackson-Davis need to play with controlled aggression on the glass.
This isn’t just about winning a regular season game in January. It’s about exorcising demons, proving Butler’s absence doesn’t crater the entire operation, and showing that the December 28th collapse was an aberration rather than a blueprint. The Warriors need this win psychologically as much as they need it in the standings.
Bring your antacids. This one matters.
