The Golden State Warriors have been one of the hottest teams in the league since February, and Steph Curry says Jimmy Butler is the reason why.
The two-time MVP credited Butler for transforming the team’s identity on both ends of the court.
“The way that we’re playing right now is reflective of what Jimmy Butler’s brought to us,” Curry said, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
The Warriors have gone 20-4 with Butler in the lineup, climbing from 10th to 5th in the Western Conference standings.
Curry pointed to Butler’s leadership and court presence as the primary catalysts behind the team’s surge.
“He’s such a connector,” Curry said. “And he has an amazing presence on both ends of the floor.”
Butler was acquired by Golden State on February 6 in a five-team deal that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat.
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After the trade, the 35-year-old wing signed a two-year, $121 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2026–27 season.
Curry said Butler’s influence goes beyond stats or defensive assignments.
“[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,” Curry said.
Butler is averaging 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 32.5 minutes per game since joining the Bay Area franchise.
Golden State’s late-season run has come with improved ball movement, defensive intensity, and efficient fourth-quarter execution.
The Warriors are currently 45-31, holding the fifth seed and in position for a guaranteed playoff spot. They trail the Lakers by just one game and sit 19 games behind the first-place Thunder.
Before Butler’s arrival, Golden State had been teetering near the Play-In Tournament range and struggling with consistency.
The Warriors faces a challenging final stretch but appears locked in, with Butler providing the stability and edge the team lacked early in the season.
With the postseason approaching, Curry believes Golden State is positioned to make a deep run—and Butler’s leadership is at the center of it.
