In one of the most energetic clashes of the week, Wednesday night’s battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors delivered fireworks. Stephen Curry lit up the scoreboard with a brilliant 37-point performance, guiding the Warriors to a statement 123-116 win over the fourth-seeded Lakers.
LeBron James, despite pouring in 33 points, couldn’t lead his squad past the finish line. But it wasn’t just the loss that stirred controversy — it was what James said afterward that truly set fans off.
LeBron James’ Postgame Comments Didn’t Sit Well With Fans
In the postgame interview, James praised the Warriors’ gameplay and went on to call the acquisition of Jimmy Butler III a smart move — also giving Butler personal praise.
“I’ve been a part of them making big acquisitions to change the dynamic of their team before. I’ve had to go against them when they added Kevin Durant. Jimmy Butler is great. He adds a toughness to them, he’s a championship DNA type of guy. It’s always the same, they always figure it out, they always add someone that makes them dynamic,” James said during the interview.
LeBron on the Warriors adding Jimmy Butler:
"I've had to go against them when they added Kevin Durant. It's always the same, they always figure it out, they always add someone that makes them dynamic"
Didn’t the Lakers add Luka 😂😂😂
pic.twitter.com/VYvHfFsW82— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) April 4, 2025
While on the surface it might seem like a standard show of respect, fans weren’t having it — especially considering who currently wears purple and gold beside James.
Luka Dončić, a generational talent who carried the Dallas Mavericks for years, joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade on Feb. 2. The league buzzed with talk that Dončić’s arrival would catapult the Lakers into championship territory.
Initially, that seemed true. However, Wednesday’s loss told a different story — Dončić managed just 19 points, a rare underperformance. Still, many argued that with someone of Dončić’s caliber by his side, James’ praise of Butler III over his own teammate seemed not just off-base, but outright insulting.
“Didn’t he get Luka? Wow, he’s embarrassing,” wrote one fan, showing their frustration.
Didn't he get luka wow he's embarrassing
— Juanito Pequero (@MARKIETRILLL) April 4, 2025
The 2025 trade window brought major shifts to the league’s power structure. Before February, the Lakers’ star power was anchored by James and Anthony Davis. Post-trade, Davis made way for Dončić, keeping the two-star setup intact.
Meanwhile, the Warriors — long defined by Curry’s brilliance — added Butler, giving them the second star they desperately needed. Fans pointed out that James’ comment made it sound like Golden State had gained something L.A. hadn’t — despite the Lakers already having a superstar duo.
“The Warriors went from one star to two stars, while the Lakers had two stars and still have two stars,” wrote another user.
While James isn’t typically one to deflect, he has occasionally drawn heat for shifting the spotlight. In this case, instead of owning the loss, many believe he masked it behind admiration for the opposing team. That led fans to question his accountability.
“All excuses when his team loses but all praises on himself when they win 🤣,” one user wrote.
For Lakers fans, James’ praise of Butler wasn’t just poor timing — it was a signal that perhaps he isn’t fully confident in his own squad. However, James wasn’t the only one to compliment Butler after the game.
Curry Also Has Nothing but Praise for Butler
After Wednesday’s win over the Lakers, the Warriors continued their impressive run, improving to 20-5 since acquiring Butler. The trade has proven to be a game-changer, and after the win, Curry didn’t hesitate to praise his new teammate.
When asked about Butler’s 11-point performance, Curry responded with admiration.
“The way that we’re playing right now is reflective of what Jimmy’s brought to us. He’s such a connector and he has an amazing presence on both ends of the floor. He makes the right play and the vibe of what our team is right now is not only what he’s done for me, Draymond, in terms of a superstar doing what he does, but he’s elevated everybody else. And that’s a big deal,”
Butler III is currently averaging 17.1 points per game. With only six games left in the regular season, Golden State sits in prime position for a deep playoff push, and finishing strong will be crucial.