The Golden State Warriors arrived at Scotiabank Arena on December 28, 2025, riding high on a three-game win streak and holding a 16-15 record. With momentum on their side and a favorable matchup against a struggling Toronto Raptors squad, the Warriors were favored by 4.5 points and eyed a fourth consecutive victory. Yet, in a dramatic NBA showdown that kept 19,800 fans on the edge of their seats, it was Toronto that delivered a stunning overtime rally, defeating Golden State 141-127 after a wild sequence of late-game swings, clutch plays, and costly turnovers.
Heading into the contest, the Raptors had dropped seven of their last ten games and were without starting center Jakob Poeltl, while RJ Barrett’s status was questionable. Despite these setbacks, Toronto remained fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. For the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski was listed as probable, and the team looked to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race, sitting two games behind the Phoenix Suns for the seventh seed. Oddsmakers and pundits alike predicted Golden State would extend its winning streak, banking on the team’s recent improvement—ninth in net rating and third in defensive rating—and Toronto’s offensive woes, which included the league’s worst offensive rating over the past ten games.
From the opening tip, the matchup lived up to its billing, with both teams trading baskets and momentum. Golden State built a 12-point lead with just 7:41 left in regulation, seemingly poised to cruise to victory. Stephen Curry, as ever, was the catalyst, pouring in 39 points on 12-for-30 shooting in 41 minutes. He orchestrated the offense with his trademark movement and shot-making, while Draymond Green chipped in a season-high 21 points, including four three-pointers and seven assists. Jimmy Butler added 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists, giving the Warriors a balanced attack.
But the Raptors, led by a relentless Scottie Barnes, refused to fold. Barnes delivered a monster triple-double: 23 points, a franchise-record-tying 25 rebounds, and 10 assists, sparking a furious rally that would ultimately flip the script. Immanuel Quickley, who had been highlighted as a key rebound prop bet before the game, lived up to expectations by grabbing boards and scoring 27 points with seven assists. Brandon Ingram contributed 26 points, while Ja’Kobe Walter and Ochai Agbaji combined for 28 more. Toronto’s offensive resurgence was fueled by aggressive full-court pressure and timely traps, which forced the Warriors into a season-high 21 turnovers—leading directly to 35 Raptors points.
Golden State’s penchant for coughing up the ball proved their undoing. Head coach Steve Kerr, who had emphasized the importance of ball security and simple plays before the game, watched in frustration as his team’s 13-point third-quarter lead evaporated. “Just sucks,” Kerr said after the loss, his disappointment palpable. “We’re on a little bit of a run. Got the chance for some momentum. We controlled the whole game and just let it slip.”
The fourth quarter was a roller coaster. Curry regulated the offense early, converting an old-fashioned three-point play before Buddy Hield and Moses Moody hit back-to-back threes, pushing the Warriors ahead 110-98. Yet, the Raptors responded with a relentless press, coaxing Golden State into six turnovers in the final 7:51 of regulation. Toronto’s defense swarmed, and the offense capitalized. With 32.8 seconds left, Brandin Podziemski gave the Warriors a brief lifeline, tipping in a go-ahead putback. But after Brandon Ingram’s miss, Barnes swooped in for a game-tying layup, knotting things up and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
On the ensuing possession, Curry, pressured by Jamal Shead, attempted a left-handed drive but was whistled for an offensive foul—a “bang-bang play,” as Curry later described. “The way it’s written, it is what it is,” Curry said postgame, referencing the NBA’s strict interpretation of offensive contact. “I felt like he was in my space and it’s a normal kind of rip-through where … the ball has actually hit the person and not my elbow or not anything else.” The whistle handed Toronto the ball, and they seized the moment, opening overtime with a 10-0 run as the Warriors unraveled.
Over the final 12 minutes and 51 seconds—spanning the end of regulation and overtime—Golden State was outscored by 26 points, including a lopsided 19-5 margin in the extra session. The Warriors’ offense sputtered, hampered by Toronto’s energy and their own mistakes. “I’ve got to get us better organized during those stretches,” Kerr admitted. “That’s on me. They turned up the pressure. We didn’t handle it well.” He also lamented a crucial late-game play-call that led to a Draymond Green turnover with a minute remaining and a three-point lead. Quickley erased that margin 14 seconds later, and the Raptors never looked back.
Statistically, the box score told the tale: Toronto shot a blistering 50.9% from the field and dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 55-42—thanks in large part to Barnes’ historic effort. The Raptors also outscored Golden State 29-19 in second-chance points, capitalizing on every opportunity. For Golden State, the defeat marked their seventh loss of the season after holding a double-digit lead, dropping their record to 16-16 and a disappointing 6-11 in clutch situations.
Despite the setback, there were bright spots for the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski notched 13 points and the go-ahead basket late, while rookie Will Richard recorded a career-high five steals—the most for a Warriors rookie since Curry in 2010. The starting lineup of Curry, Butler, Green, Moody, and Quinten Post has now started five straight games, offering some continuity amid a season of ups and downs.
For Toronto, the win was a much-needed boost after a rough stretch, keeping them firmly in the playoff mix. The Raptors’ ability to rally without Poeltl and with Barrett limited underscored the team’s depth and resilience. The crowd at Scotiabank Arena, packed to capacity, roared as the final buzzer sounded, savoring a thrilling overtime victory to close out the year.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will try to regroup quickly as they continue their road trip with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on December 30. As for Curry, who played 41 intense minutes and hinted at possible rest for the next game, the focus will be on recovery and avoiding the late-game lapses that have haunted Golden State all season. “We’re not a team that has a huge margin every night to play around, give teams extra possessions,” Curry reflected. “That’s always going to come back to haunt us.”
One thing’s for sure: after a wild afternoon in Toronto, both teams have plenty to ponder as the NBA season barrels into the new year.
