At the time of the injury, the Warriors had won 11 of their previous 15 games, clawing back to a 25-19 record behind high-level production from Butler, who was averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 38 appearances. Once he went down, however, the team collapsed, finishing the year on a 12-26 run while Curry missed two months with a persistent knee issue and subsequent roster moves failed to steady the rotation.
The Weight of Expectations in Golden State
Reflecting on the gamble front office executives and coaches took when they acquired him from the Miami Heat in February 2025 and signed him to a two-year, $121-million contract extension, Butler did not mince words about his accountability. He pointed directly to the trust placed in him by Curry, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr.
“I really felt like I let Steph down,” Butler told ESPN. “I let Draymond down. I let Steve down. Because they took a chance. If you don’t know me and you haven’t been around me, you don’t know what I’m about… They said, ‘F— all of that s—. This motherf—er knows how to win.’ They took a chance, and I felt I let them down.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the intangible presence Butler brought to the locker room and the floor, where Golden State boasted a plus-11.3 net rating with him active. Kerr noted that losing Butler instantly stripped the team of its competitive swagger and defensive edge.
Rehabilitation and Outlook for Return
Now 37 years old and working his way through an arduous rehab process, Butler is targeting a return between January and February. As he begins to run and jump on the court again, he insists his competitive fire and physical capabilities remain intact, dismissing doubts about whether he can return at an elite level.
“Now, as I’m going through this rehab process, as I’m starting to move and run and jump, I’m like, oh s—, I could still do it,” Butler told NBC Sports Bay Area. “And that’s why I say y’all motherf—ers going to be real shocked if y’all think I’m going to come back and be some bum a– player.”
General manager Mike Dunleavy views the veteran forward as an essential piece of the franchise’s immediate future as Curry nears the twilight of his career. With the 2026-27 season underway, the Warriors must navigate the opening months without their second-highest-paid star, relying on depth and health to stay afloat in a competitive Western Conference until Butler is cleared for full contact.
Reporting source: sports.yahoo.com.