The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from their surprising elimination from the NBA playoffs earlier this month, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. After a strong regular season that saw them peaking at just the right moment, the Warriors’ championship aspirations were derailed by a critical blow: Steph Curry’s hamstring injury. The injury sidelined the superstar, and Golden State crumbled, dropping four straight games as their title dreams went up in smoke.
The Warriors’ playoff exit sparked intense scrutiny, with some pointing fingers at Jimmy Butler for failing to step up in Curry’s absence. After a promising Game 1 victory, the Warriors needed just one more win to hold the fort until Curry’s reported return in Game 6. However, the Timberwolves seized control, sending Golden State packing and leaving Butler’s first season with the team steeped in disappointment.
Butler, who joined the Warriors via a trade from the Miami Heat and signed a two-year, $121 million extension, is locked in with the team through the 2026-27 season. Questions about his fit alongside Curry and the Warriors’ core lingered after the playoff collapse, but a recent comment from Curry himself may put those concerns to rest. While participating in the Memorial Pro-Am at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio, Curry was asked a pointed question by a reporter: “If you could pass the ball for a game-winning shot to anybody in history, who’s getting it?”
steph curry chose jimmy butler as anybody in history that he will pass a game winning shot to 🤝 pic.twitter.com/f7kma4oRnw
— ály (@jinthirty) May 28, 2025
Without hesitation, Curry responded, “Right now, Jimmy Butler.”
The statement raised eyebrows, given the caliber of stars Curry has played with and faced throughout his storied career. It’s a bold endorsement of Butler, signaling a level of trust that could define the Warriors’ future. However, the Warriors’ playoff downfall exposed deeper issues that Butler’s presence alone couldn’t solve. The team’s inability to adapt without Curry highlighted vulnerabilities in their depth and resilience, raising questions about their championship pedigree in this new era.
As the Butler-Curry partnership moves forward, the Warriors will need to address these shortcomings to avoid another postseason letdown. Butler’s history with the Heat, marked by both brilliance and occasional drama, looms as a cautionary tale. For now, Curry’s confidence in his new co-star offers hope that the Warriors can regroup and contend for a title. But whether the Butler era in Golden State delivers on its promise—or succumbs to the same pitfalls of his past stints—remains to be seen.