After the Loss to the Raptors: Warriors Drop Below .500 for the First Time in 2025

In what has been a tumultuous season for the Golden State Warriors, the team’s loss to the Toronto Raptors marks a significant turning point. For the first time this season, the Warriors find themselves below .500, a place no one expected them to be in after the team’s dominating performances over the past few years. The Warriors’ struggles raise multiple questions about their long-term prospects, their ability to bounce back, and whether or not this is the end of their championship window.

This article will take a deep dive into the factors contributing to the Warriors’ underperformance, examine how the team’s dynamics have shifted, and explore what the future holds for one of the NBA’s most successful franchises in the past decade.

1. The Warriors’ Dominant Past

The Golden State Warriors have been the NBA’s gold standard for much of the last decade. With the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green at the helm, the Warriors’ dynasty has been built on three-pointers, ball movement, and suffocating defense. They have won multiple championships and set records for regular-season wins, including the historic 73-win season in 2015-2016.

However, in recent years, the Warriors’ roster has undergone significant changes. The team’s core remains intact, but injuries to key players, combined with the emergence of new contenders, have complicated the Warriors’ ability to remain on top.

2. The Loss to the Raptors: A Wake-Up Call

The game against the Raptors, where the Warriors fell to a 101-109 defeat, could be seen as a symbolic marker for how far the team has fallen. While the Raptors are a competitive team with a solid roster, the loss to a team that isn’t considered a championship contender raises more questions about Golden State’s chances this season.

In this game, the Warriors struggled offensively and defensively, particularly with shooting efficiency and defensive rebounding. Stephen Curry, despite his incredible individual performances, did not have his usual game-changing impact, and Klay Thompson continued to show signs of rust after recovering from multiple injuries. The loss to Toronto is particularly concerning because it’s a reminder that the Warriors have not been able to sustain their peak-level performances throughout the season.

3. The Warriors’ Struggles This Season

Several factors have contributed to the Warriors’ drop in performance. Here are some of the key elements that explain their decline this year:

a. Injuries to Key Players The Warriors’ biggest strength in previous seasons has been the availability and health of their stars. However, injuries have been a persistent issue, especially for Klay Thompson. After missing two seasons due to significant injuries—an Achilles tear and an ACL injury—Thompson has struggled to regain his previous form. While he remains an important part of the team, his performance has not been as consistent as it once was.

Additionally, Draymond Green, the team’s emotional leader and defensive anchor, has dealt with issues that have affected his on-court production. His defense and playmaking remain crucial to the Warriors, but his struggles with fouls, injuries, and scoring inefficiency have been noticeable this season.

b. A Lack of Depth While the Warriors’ starting five is still formidable, their bench has become a growing concern. Outside of the core trio, the Warriors have lacked a reliable secondary scorer or playmaker. In previous years, role players like Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, and Kevon Looney provided invaluable contributions, but the bench depth has been thin in recent seasons. Players like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga have shown potential, but they have not been consistent enough to help carry the load when the starters struggle.

c. Defensive Woes Once known for their defense as much as their offense, the Warriors’ defensive identity has taken a hit this season. The departure of key defenders, the injuries to Green, and the overall decline in team defense have left Golden State vulnerable. Their ability to switch on pick-and-rolls, contest shots, and control the paint has been significantly reduced. This is especially problematic against teams that can execute high-quality offenses, like the Raptors, who exposed these gaps during their victory.

d. The Changing NBA Landscape The NBA has evolved in recent years, with teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets emerging as serious contenders. The Warriors’ traditional model of playing fast-paced, three-point heavy basketball has been challenged by teams that can match them in shooting while also offering size, length, and defensive versatility. The Warriors’ inability to adapt to these changes and their lack of depth on both ends of the floor have left them vulnerable against more balanced teams.

4. The Mental and Emotional Toll

Another element to consider is the mental and emotional toll of the Warriors’ championship window. The Warriors have been at or near the top of the league for much of the last decade, but the grind of constant playoff runs, deep postseason series, and the pressure to maintain a championship level has undoubtedly taken its toll on the team. The mental fatigue that comes with sustained excellence can affect performance, particularly when the team is facing adversity.

Draymond Green, who has been the team’s emotional leader for years, has also found himself at the center of controversy. His occasional on-court altercations and off-court distractions have raised questions about his long-term impact on the Warriors. While Green’s leadership is irreplaceable in many ways, his increasingly volatile presence could be adding pressure to an already strained locker room dynamic.

5. The Need for Adjustments

With the team’s current trajectory, the Warriors must make some key adjustments to reclaim their position as a championship contender. Here are some potential moves they could explore:

a. Revitalizing Klay Thompson’s Role Klay Thompson’s shooting is integral to the Warriors’ offensive system. The team needs to find ways to maximize Thompson’s effectiveness, especially by getting him open looks and ensuring he has the space to catch and shoot. However, it may also be necessary to reduce his minutes in certain stretches to ensure he remains fresh for the postseason. His potential to be a game-changer is still there, but his transition back to peak form is a process.

b. Bolstering the Bench The Warriors must invest in their depth. They need to identify and acquire reliable bench players, whether through trade, free agency, or developing their young prospects like Kuminga and Moody. The lack of scoring and playmaking off the bench is too glaring to ignore, and strengthening this area could relieve pressure from the starters.

c. Improving Defensive Communication While the Warriors’ offense will always be their calling card, they must re-establish themselves as a top-tier defensive team. This will require improved communication on switches, more aggressive rotations, and better overall effort on that end of the floor. Getting Green back to his defensive player-of-the-year form would go a long way toward fixing this issue.

d. Trade or Free Agency Acquisitions With the trade deadline approaching, the Warriors must consider whether adding another piece to the roster could help propel them back into the title race. Whether it’s a sharpshooter, a backup big man, or a defensive stopper, adding a piece that fits their system could help shift their fortunes.

6. What Does the Future Hold for the Warriors?

The Warriors have always been a franchise that can turn things around with the right moves. However, their championship window is undeniably closing. Curry is still playing at an MVP level, but he’s in the later stages of his career. Thompson and Green are also aging, and the team’s ability to sustain its success depends on how quickly they can adapt to the changing NBA landscape.

If the Warriors can manage to regain their defensive edge, develop their younger players, and find a way to reintegrate Thompson and Green effectively, they could still contend for a championship. However, if the issues that have plagued them this season persist, the franchise may have to confront the reality that their dynasty is at an end.