Warriors Roll Heat, but Jimmy Butler III’s Shocking Knee Injury Steals the Night
Warriors cruise past Heat, but Butler injury casts long shadow
The Golden State Warriors continued their strong midseason surge Monday night with a convincing 135–112 win over the Miami Heat, improving to 25–19 and 11–4 over their last 15 games. The victory pushed them further up the Western Conference standings as they try to avoid the play-in tournament. Yet by the final buzzer, the score felt secondary to a moment that could define the rest of their season.
Midway through the third quarter, Jimmy Butler III suffered a frightening right knee injury after landing awkwardly while catching a pass. His knee appeared to bend unnaturally, and Butler immediately collapsed to the floor, screaming in pain. He remained down for several minutes before being helped off by Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga, unable to put weight on his leg. Regardless of Golden State’s recent success, no development looms larger than Butler’s pending diagnosis. Even in an optimistic scenario, weeks on the sideline seem likely; in a worst case, his season could be over.
On the court, the Warriors briefly wobbled after Butler’s exit, but Stephen Curry steadied the group with a timely step-back three. Golden State carried a 104–93 lead into the fourth quarter despite also being without Draymond Green, who missed the game with an ankle sprain. Curry soon picked up his fifth foul and was forced to the bench, creating yet another test for the Warriors’ depth.
Once again, that depth delivered. Hield sparked the offense with timely shooting, while Brandin Podziemski erupted for a game-high 24 points. Their combined scoring surge pushed the lead to 24, allowing Curry to sit out the rest of the night. Hield finished with 16 points on efficient shooting, and Podziemski continued his impressive stretch of play.
Before his injury, Butler had 17 points, four assists, and two steals in just 20 minutes. Moses Moody and Quinten Post also chipped in, combining for 28 points and seven made threes. Curry added 19 points and 11 assists in a relatively quiet outing.
The Warriors now face a quick turnaround against the Toronto Raptors, but their focus remains elsewhere. For now, the season’s trajectory hinges not on wins or losses, but on the health of Jimmy Butler III.
