Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Butler, 36, was injured in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 135-112 win over the Miami Heat on Monday.
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His agent Bernie Lee confirmed the news in a statement to ESPN, calling it a “gut punch” for Butler and the Warriors team.
After a mixed start to the season, the Warriors have won 12 of their last 16 games and are eighth in the Western Conference, with a record of 25 wins and 19 losses.
The top six teams from each conference qualify directly for the play-offs, with teams ranked seventh through 10th participating in the play-in tournament.
Butler’s injury leaves the Warriors facing a decision on how to approach the remainder of their season and the market ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Under coach Steve Kerr and star point guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors have won four NBA titles since 2015 but have been a fading force since their last championship victory in 2022.
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The Warriors acquired Butler from the Heat in February 2025 to give Curry, 37, a star teammate to support another championship bid, but now must consider whether to seek additional reinforcements or rebuild for the future.
However, Lee is confident that six-time All-Star Butler, under contract with the Warriors through the end of the 2026-27 season, will bounce back from this injury to win his first NBA title.
“I’ve known for over 10 years now that Jimmy is going to win a championship before he’s done,” Lee said. “My belief in this is unwavering.”
