Did Jimmy Butler let the Golden State Warriors down when he tore his right ACL in January?
That seems like an awfully harsh assessment, but the veteran scorer feels that his injury prevented him from fulfiling expectations, something he’s eager to amend. Going into his 16th NBA season, Butler is determined to justify the faith the Warriors showed in trading for him during the 2024-25 season.
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Without Butler, Golden State went 12-26 for the remainder of the season and barely qualified for the posteason as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. That got the Warriors into the Play-In Tournament, where they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers before getting eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in a blowout loss.
“I really felt like I let Steph [Curry] down,” Butler told ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “I let Draymond [Green] down. I let Steve [Kerr] down. Because they took a chance.”
“If you don’t know me and you haven’t been around me, you don’t know what I’m about because of the things that you may read and hear,” he continued.
At the time he was injured, Butler was having a resurgent season, averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He was also shooting 38% on 85 3-point attempts.
Butler, 37, didn’t say when exactly he would return while speaking with Slater during training camp. But he and the Warriors have a target date in mind.
“I know,” Butler told Slater. “We know. Y’all just find out whenever y’all find out.”
Butler’s encouraging recovery points him to taking the court again in January or February. When he returns for his 16th NBA season, Butler is determined to demonstrate that he can still be an impact player who can help the Warriors make one last playoff run. He wants one more chance at the NBA championship that’s alluded him during his career.
“That’s why I say y’all motherf*ers going to be real shocked if y’all think I’m going to come back and be some bum-a player,” he said.
Butler’s bravado was missed by the Warriors after he was sidelined, according to Kerr.
“He’s such an alpha,” Kerr said. “Everyone feels so confident when he’s on the floor. There’s just a sense of swagger that you have when Jimmy’s on your team. So, it felt like we lost that instantly.”
The Warriors tip off the 2026-27 season Wednesday at the Los Angeles Lakers.
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