The Warriors (16-15) head north to face the Raptors (18-14) on Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena, carrying the kind of road woes that make you wonder if they packed the wrong uniforms for away games.
Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors
When: December 28th, 2025 | 12:30 PM PT
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Golden State is 6-11 on the road this season while maintaining a respectable 10-4 home record. That’s not a minor split. That’s the difference between a team that looks like a playoff contender and one auditioning for lottery picks. When you’re essentially two different teams depending on zip code, something fundamental needs fixing.
The Warriors’ road struggles stem from defensive breakdowns that compound away from Chase Center’s friendly confines. Teams are exploiting Golden State’s perimeter vulnerabilities and transition defense, turning what should be competitive games into exercises in frustration. This isn’t about missing shots on foreign rims. This is about maintaining intensity and executing schemes when the crowd isn’t on your side.
Toronto presents a fascinating test case. The Raptors just got embarrassed by Washington, losing to the league’s worst team in a game that looked more like a hangover than basketball. But dismissing Toronto based on one disastrous performance would be foolish. They’re 18-14 for a reason, sitting comfortably above .500 in the Eastern Conference with legitimate offensive weapons.
Scottie Barnes remains the engine driving Toronto’s success, though his injury status for Sunday bears monitoring. The Raptors’ ability to control tempo and dominate the glass creates problems for teams that struggle with physicality. Golden State needs to match that intensity from tipoff, not wait until halftime adjustments to find their backbone.
The early 12:30 PM PT start time adds another wrinkle. West Coast teams historically struggle with these cross-country morning games, operating on biological clocks that scream “this is way too early for professional athletics.” The Warriors need to treat this like a statement game, an opportunity to prove their road woes aren’t terminal.
If Golden State continues sleepwalking through road games, this season transforms from playoff push to mediocrity acceptance. Toronto won’t gift them anything, especially after their own embarrassing loss. The Warriors either show up ready to compete on Sunday, or they confirm what the road record already suggests: they’re not built for success outside the Bay Area. Let’s get a dub, Dubs!