Despite traveling challenges and a short rest period, the Golden State Warriors emerged victorious against the Toronto Raptors with a 120-105 win during Friday’s NBA action.

This victory extended their road winning streak to eight games and highlighted their resilience and depth. Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga were pivotal in the win, scoring 25 and 24 points, respectively.

The Raptors faced a significant setback when All-Star Scottie Barnes exited the game due to a broken left middle finger, halting his streak of consecutive double-doubles at five.

“Obviously when you lose an All-Star player in the game, that definitely changes a lot of things,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We tried with different lineups, different players tonight, gave multiple players opportunities there.”

The Warriors’ journey to Toronto was far from smooth, with the team enduring a challenging travel schedule that saw them arriving at their hotel early Friday morning. Despite these hurdles, the team’s spirit remained undeterred.

“Fantastic win,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of beating Toronto. “I mean, last night was brutal. That’s the worst travel circumstances I’ve ever been involved with in the NBA.”

After a sluggish start, Golden State found their rhythm in the third quarter, demonstrating the kind of dynamic play that has characterized their recent performances.

“It was obviously a roller coaster of a night, but we wanted to maintain the momentum we’ve been building,” Curry said.

Moses Moody, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green also made significant contributions, with Moody scoring 17 points, Thompson adding 14, and Green securing 13 rebounds. The win marks the Warriors’ third consecutive victory and their 13th in the last 15 games.

Curry’s return to Toronto was notable, marking his first game since the 2019 NBA Finals. His connection to Toronto, from his childhood when his father played for the Raptors, made the victory even more special.

“It’s always great to have a pseudo homecoming,” Curry said. “Toronto is a special place for my family and my journey. I always love coming back.”

Despite efforts from RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk, the Raptors could not counter the Warriors’ momentum, resulting in their second consecutive loss.

As the Warriors and Raptors move forward, they are set to face the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets, respectively, in their upcoming games, aiming to build on their current standings.