GOLDEN State's season just took a massive blow.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, forward Jimmy Butler is out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after tearing his right ACL in the Warriors' 135-112 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night (Tuesday afternoon Philippine time).
The 14-year-veteran landed akwardly on his knee in the eight minute mark of the third quarter after receiving a pass from Brandin Podziemski on the roll. Butler went down after and had to be helped out by his teammates off the court.
He exited the game with 17 points, four assists and two steals.
After the game, Charania confirmed the Warriors' worst fears - a torn ACL for Butler.
What's next for Golden State?
The injury will certainly change the trajectory of the Warriors who were on a pretty solid momentum before Butler's injury, having won four straight and seven of their last 10 to move to the eighth spot in the Western Conference with a 25-19 record.
For the season, Butler has been the perfect second-option to Steph Curry, with averages of 20 points per game on an efficient 51.9 percent shooting, alongside 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
With Curry, 37, entering the final stretch of his illustrious career, the question for the Warriors would be how would they give their long-time star a fighting chance in his last hurrah.
The Warriors still have young forward Jonathan Kuminga at their disposal, though the 23-year-old hasn't seen action in 18 of the Warriors' last 19 games, having been in the dog house of coach Steve Kerr.
But he could still serve his purpose, maybe not as a member of the Warriors but as a trade piece to find immediate help for Curry.
Rumors have linked Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr, a player who's having a breakout year for the Nets, but there hasn't been any clear intent on the Warriors' end to snag the former NBA champion who's averaging 25.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the season.
But with Butler's injury, who knows now?
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