ACL Blow Ends Jimmy Butler’s Season as Warriors Rally for Playoffs

Injury update and immediate impact

Butler, 36, suffered a severe tear of the ACL in his right knee, officially ending his season in the NBA.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of the game against his former team, the Miami Heat, which the Warriors won 135-112.

He left the floor after a collision with Davion Mitchell and later underwent MRI that confirmed the ACL tear, ending his season.

Season context and playoff implications

Golden State, led by Stephen Curry, sits eighth in the Western Conference with a 25-19 record and remains in the hunt for a playoff spot; their last title came in 2022.

Butler joined the Warriors last year after a lengthy dispute with the Heat and had six All-Star appearances in his career.

This season, Butler has averaged over 30 minutes per game, recording 20.1 points per contest. In his latest appearance against the New York Knicks, he dropped 32 points and helped secure a win for his team.

Note: The MRI confirmed the diagnosis; Butler’s absence leaves a significant hole in the rotation as Golden State fights for postseason positioning.

Punchline 1: If ACLs were sharpshooters, Butler’s season would be a rare, but now-quiet, headshot—season over, but the memes live on.

Punchline 2: With Butler out, the Warriors will need to lean on the bench rotation—talk about a real “rotation” job, and yes, the gym gets a new tick-tock soundtrack.