The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from their unexpected elimination in the Western Conference semifinals by the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this month. After a strong regular season that saw them peaking at just the right moment, the Warriors’ championship aspirations were derailed when disaster struck: Steph Curry suffered a hamstring injury, sidelining him for crucial games. What followed was a devastating four-game losing streak that extinguished Golden State’s title hopes
The Warriors took Game 1 against the Timberwolves, but with Curry out, the team needed to secure just one more win before his anticipated return in Game 6. However, they faltered, and the Timberwolves capitalized, sending Golden State packing. Some fans and analysts pointed fingers at Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ high-profile acquisition from the Miami Heat, for not stepping up enough in Curry’s absence. Butler, who signed a two-year, $121 million extension with the Warriors that keeps him with the team through the 2026-27 season, faced scrutiny for failing to carry the team during this critical stretch.
Despite the criticism, a recent comment from Curry suggests that any concerns about his chemistry with Butler may be overblown. While golfing at the Memorial Pro-Am at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio, Curry was asked a pointed question: “If you could pass the ball for a game-winning shot to anyone 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 replied, “Right now, Jimmy Butler.”
The response was a powerful endorsement of his new teammate, especially considering the caliber of players Curry has shared the court with over his illustrious career. The two-time MVP’s confidence in Butler speaks volumes about the trust he’s developed in the former Heat star, despite their first season together ending in disappointment.
Butler’s tenure with the Warriors is still in its early stages, and while his time with previous teams, including the Miami Heat, was occasionally marred by drama, Curry’s comment suggests a strong foundation for their partnership. As the Warriors look ahead to the next season, the focus will be on how Butler and Curry can elevate each other to reclaim Golden State’s place among the NBA’s elite.
For now, Warriors fans can take solace in Curry’s words, which hint at a bright future for the Butler era in Golden State—provided it stays free of the off-court distractions that have followed Butler in the past.