The Golden State Warriors are back in the thick of playoff action, but this time, their journey comes with an unexpected twist and a heavy dose of adversity.
After a grueling first-round series against the Houston Rockets that pushed them to the brink, the Warriors showed grit, outlasting Houston’s physical play to win the series 4-3.
With momentum and confidence on their side, they geared up for a second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But then disaster struck.
Jimmy Butler III’s Old Confession Regarding Curry
In Game 1 of the series on May 6, Stephen Curry hit a three-pointer and, moments later, suffered a painful injury while defending. Though he stayed on the court long enough to knock down a push shot, Curry soon asked to be subbed out and limped to the locker room in the second quarter. He didn’t return, and the Warriors ruled him out for Game 2. Team officials announced Curry will miss several more games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
As Warriors fans anxiously await their leader’s return, an old quote about Curry is making the rounds, and it’s going viral for good reason.
Back in 2020, in an article for The Players’ Tribune, Jimmy Butler III, then with the Miami Heat, wrote about the five toughest players he had ever guarded. One of them was Curry, whom he called a “generational talent.”
“Steph is a generational talent in that he can legit shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. I mean, how do you guard a guy when you’re sprinting back on defense like, I can’t let him get to his spot! Then you realize that it doesn’t matter because wherever he is, he’s already at his spot. Because he can shoot — and hit — from anywhere,” wrote Butler.
Who would’ve thought then that Butler would one day team up with Curry in Golden State?
Fast forward to February 6, 2025. In a blockbuster deal, the Heat traded Butler to the Warriors. In 30 regular-season games with Golden State, he helped the team to 23 wins, showcasing his signature toughness, veteran leadership, and clutch shot-making.
With Curry sidelined, the Warriors are leaning heavily on Butler, and he’s delivering. So far in the postseason, he’s averaging 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, stepping into the role of on-court leader with calm authority. His playoff poise and two-way play are keeping the Warriors competitive, even as they miss their heartbeat.
Butler’s 2020 praise for Curry hits even harder in moments like this. He didn’t just call him a generational talent. He understood exactly what makes him one.
Butler Believes Curry Is Helping the Team From the Sidelines
Golden State felt Curry’s absence in Game 2. Despite a solid 17-point outing from Butler III, the Warriors couldn’t match the Timberwolves’ pace, falling 117–93. The loss evened the series at 1-1 heading into a pivotal Game 3.
After the game, Butler spoke about Curry’s continued influence, even from the bench.
“Talking the game, what he sees, what we should be doing on both sides of the ball. Even though he’s not out there, he still expects us and wants us to win.
“So as often as he’s telling us, ‘Hey, this guy needs to be here and on defense… this is what everybody needs to be doing,’ we need to listen. ’Cause he’s seeing it firsthand, a lot of stuff that everybody else can’t see. So he’s definitely still out there on the bench with us,” Butler said during his postgame interview.
Curry averaged 22.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in the playoffs before being ruled out. Golden State will miss his presence in Game 3. With the series tied and momentum hanging in the balance, the Warriors will turn to Butler and sharpshooter Buddy Hield to step up and deliver a must-win performance.