Andrew Wiggins returned to the Warriors over the weekend and will be immediately challenged when Golden State takes on the Raptors in Toronto on Monday.

The meeting point is at 4:30 p.m. at the Scotiabank Arena.

Due to the absence of Jonathan Kuminga (reportedly out with a right ankle sprain) and the possible loss of Draymond Green (listed as questionable due to an illness), Wiggins is Golden State’s only healthy full-time forward. This makes him the first line of defense against Toronto’s most dangerous players.

The Warriors (19-19) are aware that the Raptors (8-31) are struggling, but they also know that forwards RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes are not struggling. They combine to average 43 points per game.

Regardless of Green’s status, Wiggins will have his hands full. He will get help from reserves Kyle Anderson, Moses Moody and perhaps Gui Santos, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr will have to decide whether Wiggins will defend Barrett or Barnes.

Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is playing at the level expected from a high lottery pick. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound slasher is considered a small forward and is averaging career highs in scoring (team-high 22.7 per game), rebounding (6.7 per game) and assists (5.8 per game). Game). He scored at least 25 points in 13 of his 31 games.

Barnes, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, was an All-Star last season and is approaching that level again after missing most of November with a fractured right eye socket. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound combo forward averages 20.3 points and team-highs in rebounds (8.3) and assists (6.4).

Barnes has stepped up his game recently, averaging 22 points on 53.8 percent shooting in Toronto’s first six games of 2025.

Wiggins, 1.80 meters tall and 100 kilograms, is usually used against point forwards like Barnes, but in this case could attract Barrett, who has more triple-doubles (two) than Barnes (one) this season.

The Warriors’ veteran forward is averaging 16.4 points per game but has only topped the 25-point mark four times this season. He’ll likely have to do at least that much to make up for what the Raptors typically get from Barrett and Barnes.

The rebuilding Raptors are absolutely beatable; They have lost five in a row and 16 of their last 17. Keeping Barrett and Barnes in check is crucial for the Warriors, who have lost seven of their last nine road games, to capitalize on this opportunity.

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