In a high-stakes Game 1 matchup against the Houston Rockets on Sunday night, Jimmy Butler showed exactly why the Golden State Warriors made a bold move to acquire him at the trade deadline.
The veteran forward delivered a masterclass in composure and competitiveness, stuffing the stat sheet with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals – and more importantly, closing out the game when it mattered most.
With the game hanging in the balance in the final two minutes, Butler scored six straight points in the last 1:43, sealing the Warriors’ 1-0 series lead and sending Chase Center into a frenzy.
His late-game heroics weren’t just about getting buckets – they were about presence, poise, and leadership.
“He has that impact every game,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
“He calms things down. He’s very confident. He’s very poised. He always believes we’re going to win. Jimmy is – he’s one of the best players in the league, and that’s what the best players in the league do. It’s not just about scoring or stats. It’s about settling the game down, having the presence and the nature to compete and win games like this.”
Butler’s teammates echoed Kerr’s sentiment, praising the intangible lift he brings in crucial moments.
“When things get tight, he doesn’t flinch,” said Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo. “It’s like, once he locks in, we all follow.”
For a Warriors team that has weathered a rollercoaster season filled with injuries and inconsistency, Butler’s arrival has been a stabilizing force. Beyond the numbers, it’s his competitive fire and unshakable confidence that may be the key to a deep playoff run.
Game 2 of the series is set for Wednesday, where Butler and the Warriors will look to build on the momentum, and Houston will try to find answers for one of the league’s most relentless closers.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Van Gundy, Butler, Warriors Defense, Durant https://t.co/vAab83EkY8 pic.twitter.com/WZkuakFhZ0
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 22, 2025
