Quickley Erupts as Raptors Overwhelm Warriors with 154-127 Victory
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By Nemanja Petković
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Summary:
- Immanuel Quickley poured in 40 points with 10 assists as the Toronto Raptors controlled the game from the start.
- The Golden State Warriors struggled without Jimmy Butler, allowing a season high 145 points and committing 18 turnovers.
- Jonathan Kuminga made the most of a rare opportunity, scoring 20 points off the bench in 21 minutes.
Immanuel Quickley had one of those basketball nights where everything felt easy. He tied his career high with 40 points, handed out 10 assists, and led the Raptors to a wire-to-wire win over Golden State, 145-127, on Tuesday night.
The game was the Warriors’ first since losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending right knee injury, and it showed early.
Excellent Performance by Toronto
Toronto jumped on Golden State from the opening tip and never really let up. Quickley was nearly perfect, going 11 for 13 from free throws and a flawless 11 for 11 at the free throw line.
Scottie Barnes backed him up with 26 points and 11 assists as the Raptors posted their highest scoring game of the season. On the other side, it was a rough night defensively for the Warriors, their worst showing of the year.
Buddy Hield provided a spark for Golden State, finishing with 25 points and 6 three-pointers. He did not miss from deep. Stephen Curry scored 16, though it took him a while to get going, and Draymond Green finished with six points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Hield briefly made things interesting when he hit a three with just over five minutes left to pull the Warriors within nine. Any momentum disappeared almost entirely when Brandon Ingram answered with a three-pointer of his own on the next possession.
With Butler sidelined, Steve Kerr turned to Jonathan Kuminga, giving him his first real opportunity in weeks. Kuminga had been out of the rotation for 17 games, but made the most of his time, scoring 20 points on 7 for 10 shooting in just 21 minutes.
He also grabbed five rebounds. Kuminga has reportedly asked for a trade because of his limited role, and while he and Kerr spoke last week, it remains to be seen whether Golden State will move him before the February 5 deadline
State Ends Winning Streak
Curry missed his first five attempts from three-point range before finally connecting late in the second quarter. By halftime, the Warriors were already in a deep hole, trailing 70-50 after shooting just under 40 percent overall and 6 of 23 from beyond the arc.
Ingram finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Toronto’s 70 points at the break matched the most Golden State has allowed in a first half this season. The Warriors also hurt themselves with 18 turnovers, which the Raptors turned into 34 points.
Golden State saw its four-game winning streak come to an end as it wrapped up an eight-game homestand.
Up next, the Raptors head to a back-to-back on Wednesday night to finish a road back-to-back. The Warriors travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks on Thursday.
