Amidst Jimmy Butler’s injury, the crushing drop to the play-in tournament couldn’t have been any more unfortunate for the Golden State Warriors.
On April 13, the Warriors held their massive breath as they remained hobbled late in the game, hoping for the right to secure an automatic spot on the 2025 Western Conference Playoff Bracket.
With over 30 seconds left, Jimmy Butler boldly blocked Kawi Leonard’s layup. However, he paid the price for this defensive stop. This is because the LA star accidentally hit his quad area.
For the remaining high stakes game where all Bay Area fans were sweating, Butler limped in his left knee as the Golden State Warriors lost 124-119.
The injury from Butler, along with Steve Kerr’s decision to snub Jonathan Cuminga, served as another important story for the Warriors as they headed for the Play-in Tournament.
Shortly after the game, Butler dismissed the negativity and anxiety that could occur within the Dove country related to his injury.
Butler was a major horse all night last weekend. He finished with 30 points and nine assists in 48 minutes in the losing effort.
From scoring and defense, he poured everything out and became the team’s second major supporter, after Stephen Curry, who led Golden State with 36 points.
In a post-match press, Butler simply insisted that there was nothing to worry about his quad injury.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said. “Go home and play dominoes. Have some coffee. I hope you feel better.”
Landing in Golden State following a chaotic basketball exit from the Miami Heat, Butler gave the Warriors a big shot in their arm.
Since his arrival, Butler has offered the Warriors a new optimism that they can compete at their best, and Draymond Green has confidently declared that they will win it all this year.
Along with Butler, the Warriors were able to save the season, winning 23 of their final 31 games, with future Hall of Fame inductees in court.
And despite having to start from the bottom to head to the summit, facing the Memphis Grizzlies on April 15th for the seventh seed of the West playoff bracket, Butler is incredibly upbeat, allowing him and Dub to pull everything apart.
“We’re amazing,” Butler clearly said. “We’re amazing.” We’re where we want to be. We still have the opportunity and control our own destiny.
“We’re going to be fine.”