Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after suffering a torn right ACL on Monday at Chase Center. NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed the injury, calling it season-ending.
Butler was injured midway through the third quarter against his former team, the Miami Heat, after a collision with Davion Mitchell. He scored 17 points before his knee buckled on landing, forcing him to be escorted off the court by teammates Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield.
The 2025-26 Warriors were already without Draymond Green, who sat out as a precaution for a right ankle sprain. Butler’s absence leaves Golden State without its primary scorer and floor leader for the stretch run, putting added pressure on Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski.
Curry contributed 19 points and 11 assists, while Podziemski scored a season-high 24 points with six rebounds. Hield added 16 points, helping the Warriors secure a 135-112 win over the Heat. The team shot 52% from the field and 47% from three, with Andrew Wiggins scoring 18 points in the Heat’s loss.
Despite the victory, the loss of Butler represents a major setback as Golden State looks to maintain playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference.
Miami dropped its fourth consecutive road game, falling to 7-14 outside South Florida. Norman Powell led the Heat with 21 points, while Jovic and Wiggins contributed in double figures. The Heat will travel to Sacramento on Tuesday to complete a West Coast back-to-back.
The Warriors, who are 24-19 and in eighth place in the West, will host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, now facing the challenge of adjusting rotations without Butler.
