At a Glance
- Jimmy Butler tore his right ACL during Monday’s Warriors-Heat game and will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season.
- Golden State had just hit a four-game win streak, winning 12 of its last 16 before the injury.
- GM Mike Dunleavy faces major decisions with the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming.
- Why it matters: Butler was the third star the Warriors hoped could fuel a deep playoff run; his absence forces an immediate roster rethink.
Jimmy Butler’s comeback season with Golden State ended in a single, painful moment. The forward crumpled to the Chase Center floor in the third quarter, clutching his right knee after landing on an entry pass. An MRI confirmed the worst: a torn ACL that sidelines the 36-year-old for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, according to a source who spoke with Olivia Bennett Harris of News Of Philadelphia.
How the Injury Happened
Butler’s awkward landing came on a routine catch. He immediately grabbed the knee and stayed down for several minutes while teammates Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II carried him to the locker room. Coach Steve Kerr told reporters post-game only that Butler was undergoing imaging and an update would arrive Tuesday. ESPN’s Shams Charania first broke the news of the torn ACL.
Impact on the Warriors’ Surge
Golden State entered the night riding its first four-game win streak of the season and had claimed 12 victories in the last 16 outings, vaulting back into the Western Conference playoff picture. Butler, acquired last summer, averaged 19.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while serving as the primary perimeter defender and late-game closer alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Without him, the rotation shifts dramatically:
- Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are expected to absorb the bulk of Butler’s 34 minutes per night.
- Andrew Wiggins returns to the primary wing scorer role he held before Butler’s arrival.
- Second-unit scoring becomes a question mark with Hield now the lone proven shot-creator off the bench.
Front-Office Crossroads
General manager Mike Dunleavy has 16 days until the February 5 trade deadline to decide whether to:
- Chase a replacement star, likely surrendering future first-round picks.
- Stand pat and ride Curry-Green leadership, banking on internal growth.
- Pivot toward youth, trading veterans for long-term assets.
League sources told News Of Philadelphia that ownership still views this season as “winnable” with Curry playing at an All-NBA level, but the luxury-tax bill and depleted draft capital complicate any blockbuster pursuit.
Butler’s Recovery Timeline
A standard ACL recovery for a player Butler’s age ranges 9-12 months, putting a potential return somewhere near the start of the 2026-27 season. His contract contains a $52.4 million player option for that season, meaning he could opt in while re-habbing or negotiate an extension structured around incentive clauses.
Locker-Room Reaction
Curry, who finished with 31 points and 11 assists in the 135-112 win over Miami, addressed the team after the game:
> “We’ve got to rally around him. It’s devastating, but we’ve been through adversity before.”
Green added that the team will use Butler’s absence as “motivation,” not an excuse.
Western Conference Ripple Effect
The injury drops the Warriors from fifth to seventh in most betting-market projections. Rivals such as Phoenix, Dallas, and Sacramento are now favored to climb above Golden State in the standings. The Los Angeles Lakers, clinging to the eighth seed, see an opening to avoid the play-in tournament.
What Comes Next
Golden State embarks on a five-game road trip beginning Wednesday in Denver. The stretch includes contests against the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Clippers-teams they could face in postseason seeding battles. Kerr said rotations will “remain fluid” while the front office decides whether reinforcements are coming.
Key Takeaways
- Butler’s torn ACL ends his season and reshapes the Warriors’ trajectory.
- The front office must weigh short-term playoff hopes against long-term flexibility before the trade deadline.
- Curry and Green maintain star power, but the supporting cast faces elevated pressure with Butler out.
- Recovery timelines suggest Butler’s return won’t come until next season, leaving his contractual future uncertain.
