A few days ago, Jimmy Butler didn't hold back in his assessment of the Golden State Warriors , calling his team "mediocre." Now, with the stunning news of Butler's season-ending torn ACL hogging NBA headlines, the Warriors' faithful can't imagine what the team will look like as they soldier on without their most reliable and second-best player.
As it is, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry put up a brave front, declaring they will have to do it by committee to try and make up for the lost production of Butler. However, it is hard to ignore that the Warriors are now a man down in their quest to remain relevant in the final years of Curry's career.
When the Dubs finally found a rhythm this season, going on a 12-4 stretch, they will now have to start anew and search for a rotation that works. While Butler's averages of 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game will be hard to replicate, the Warriors must find a way to generate points — something they have struggled with this season, as they rank 13th in points produced per 100 possessions at 116.4.
In an ideal world, the Warriors will have to play like they did in their 135-112 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night, when seven players scored in double figures, led by Brandin Podziemski 's 24 points.
"The way we played down the stretch tonight — BP being an aggressive scorer, Buddy (Hield) coming in and staying ready and knocking down shots, Moses (Moody), and then Al (Horford) off the bench," Curry stated.
"We're going to have to do it by committee if anybody goes down. We'll figure out what the plan is depending on what's going on," the 6'2" perimeter sniper added.
However, relying on that strategy would be foolhardy as consistency has been one of the Warriors' follies this season. Role players are crucial to any team's success, but it ultimately falls to stars like Curry and Butler to lead the charge.
Butler's injury happened with 7:41 left in the third quarter. As he tried to corral an entry pass, he bumped bodies with Heat guard Davion Mitchell and he landed awkwardly on his right leg, which buckled and sent him writhing in pain on the floor.
As the Chase Center fell into silence, Butler eventually was helped to his feet and assisted to the locker room. He soon got an MRI on his injured knee, which confirmed the worst news possible — a torn ACL.
The Warriors' front office, led by general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and the coaching staff, led by Steve Kerr, face some tough decisions in the days leading up to the trade deadline on February 5. Butler's absence leaves them devoid of a consistent scoring threat outside of Curry. The Warriors are studying all options available at the moment, which apparently includes bringing Jonathan Kuminga back into the rotation.
While many things are in limbo for the Golden State, what is clear is that they need to pivot from their original season plans. The Warriors came into the year with championship aspirations. Still, those dreams may now be put on hold as they navigate this significant setback.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
