Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors

If we sound glib in the subhead there, it’s because tonight’s Raptors vs. Warriors game feels like the epitome of the old adage: life comes at you fast. Less than two years ago, these two teams were meeting for a classic battle in the NBA Finals. Now, the Warriors are just trying to keep their playoff hopes alive — and the Raptors appear to be just about done with that. It’s tough, but it’s also often the cycle of the league.

To add insult to injury here — and not to make light of the latter — but both teams are down their star guards tonight. Yes, both Kyle Lowry and Steph Curry will not play tonight in Tampa (along with some other players for Toronto; though DeAndre’ Bembry is available). On the plus side, for entertainment value, it turns out Draymond Green will make a go of it. He and teammate Kevon Looney, and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, will count as the only four players in this contest to actually have taken the floor in that famous 2019 Finals series. Yes, we can’t let it go here in Toronto, not with the team now crumbling apart and playing in Florida. We need the memories to keep us warm, if nothing else.

So it goes for this season with the Raptors — and sure, the Warriors too. Not quite what either team expected, but there are still games to play, and so they go and do that, come what may. Here’s the full preview on Raptors-Warriors from JD this morning. Below are the updated game details. And now, let’s watch.

Where to Watch:

Sportsnet, 7:00 PM EDT

Lineups:

Toronto – Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher

Golden State – Jordan Poole, Kelly Oubre, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, James Wiseman

Injuries:

Toronto – Paul Watson (health and safety protocols - out), Patrick McCaw (knee - out), Jalen Harris (hip - out), Kyle Lowry (toe - out), Rodney Hood (hip - out)

Golden State – Klay Thompson (Achilles - out), Steph Curry (tailbone - out)