The Golden State Warriors are entering a critical stretch of their season, and Tuesday night’s 145-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors was a stark reminder of how different life looks without Jimmy Butler on the floor. With Butler sidelined, the Warriors got a taste of both the challenges and the potential paths forward - all in the span of 48 minutes.
A Tale of Two Halves - and One Big Void
Head coach Steve Kerr made a strategic shift by inserting rookie Brandin Podziemski into the starting five alongside Stephen Curry, hoping to inject some playmaking into the lineup. But early returns were rough. The first half exposed just how much Butler’s presence - and production - means to this team.
Toronto came out aggressive, doubling Curry on nearly every touch and daring someone else to beat them. The problem?
No one did. Golden State shot just 40% from the field and 6-of-23 from three in the first half.
And while Curry’s gravity created opportunities, the Warriors simply couldn’t convert - even around the rim. They missed eight layups before halftime, a glaring stat that underscored the absence of a reliable secondary scorer.
Butler’s ability to exploit mismatches, draw contact, and get to the line is something Golden State couldn’t replicate. The Warriors did get to the stripe, particularly through Jonathan Kuminga’s aggressive drives, but they left points on the table, going just 17-for-26 from the line - their worst free-throw percentage of the season. Butler, who shoots over 86% from the line on high volume, would’ve made a difference there.
Turnovers were another issue, with Golden State coughing the ball up 19 times - five of those from De’Anthony Melton. The Warriors have struggled with ball security all year when Butler isn’t in the lineup, and Tuesday was no exception.
In games without him, they’ve averaged nearly 17 turnovers, a number that would rank dead last in the league. When they give it away 17 or more times, they’re just 4-10.
That’s not a coincidence.
Kuminga's Return Brings a Spark
If the first half was a warning sign, the second half was a glimmer of hope - and it started with Jonathan Kuminga.
Playing for the first time since December 18, Kuminga immediately made his presence felt. He poured in 12 points in just six minutes during the third quarter and gave the Warriors exactly what they’ve been missing: physicality, rim pressure, and defensive energy. With Kuminga in attack mode, Golden State scored 20 points in the paint in the third - matching their entire first-half total.
It’s not just about the scoring. Kuminga’s ability to rebound, defend, and draw fouls helps balance the floor. He doesn’t need to be Butler, but he can help fill the void by doing what he does best - playing downhill, staying aggressive, and making defenses react.
Golden State’s bench, which has quietly been one of the best in the league this season, stepped up in a big way. The unit poured in 56 of the team’s 77 second-half points, led by Kuminga’s 20 and a red-hot Buddy Hield, who went a perfect 6-for-6 from deep en route to 25 points. The bench is averaging nearly 45 points per game - second-best in the NBA - and Tuesday night was a showcase of that depth.
Now the question becomes: should Kuminga lead that second unit in Butler’s absence? Or is it time to give him a bigger role in the starting lineup?
Shooting Numbers Provide a Silver Lining
Despite the lopsided final score, the Warriors actually shot the ball well overall. They hit 16 threes at a 37.2% clip and finished the game at 51.6% from the field.
On most nights, that’s a winning formula. But this wasn’t most nights.
Toronto, a team that ranks dead last in the league in three-point percentage, caught fire. The Raptors shot a blistering 61.8% from deep and 59.3% overall.
Sometimes the other team just has one of those nights - and Immanuel Quickley certainly did. The guard exploded for a career-high 40 points on 11-of-13 shooting and added 10 assists for good measure.
When a player gets that hot, there’s only so much you can do.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
With the trade deadline just over two weeks away, Golden State’s front office has some big decisions to make. Do they hold firm, bring Butler back next season, and give the Curry-Green-Butler trio one more run? Or do they explore moving pieces - Kuminga, Butler, or draft picks - to chase immediate help and stay in contention this year?
In the short term, the Warriors are heading out on a four-game road trip after going 6-2 on their recent homestand. It starts Thursday in Dallas, then continues with back-to-back matchups against the playoff-hunting Timberwolves before wrapping up in Utah next Wednesday.
The road ahead won’t be easy, especially without Butler. But if Kuminga can build on his strong return and the bench continues to deliver, Golden State has a chance to stay afloat - and maybe even find a new identity in the process.