Jimmy Butler, Warriors
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Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler (R) attends Day Thirteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2025.
The Golden State Warriors are taking a cautious approach with Jimmy Butler’s minor ankle injury, prioritizing long-term health over short-term availability as the regular season approaches.
According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Butler is “doubtful” for the team’s final preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. However, Kerr expressed optimism that the six-time NBA All-Star will be ready for Golden State’s season opener on Oct. 21 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Before the injury, Kerr drilled in the importance of having a training camp with Butler, the Warriors’ biggest addition last season.
“To start the season and have a training camp with Jimmy, it just gives us more of a foundation,” Kerr told SiriusXM NBA Radio. “Just the relationships are stronger. The continuity that exists.”
Kerr also confirmed that Butler’s MRI results came back clean, easing fears of a serious setback. The 36-year-old forward sustained the ankle injury during a practice session last week but has remained active in team walkthroughs and film sessions.
Before the injury, Butler appeared in two preseason contests, scoring nine points in the opener and 12 in the second game, showcasing his typical mid-range efficiency and defensive grit.
Warriors Emphasize Team Chemistry and Leadership
Butler made headlines in the offseason for his leadership off the court. In a gesture that strengthened locker room chemistry, Butler hosted the entire Warriors roster at his home in San Diego before training camp began — a move his teammates described as a turning point for team unity.
“What Jimmy did was phenomenal,” Buddy Hield said. “Hosting everyone, welcoming the team into his home — that shows leadership. The camaraderie was amazing. I’ve never experienced that in my 10 years in the NBA.”
Butler’s veteran presence has been part of Golden State’s push to restore the culture that defined its championship years. Kerr and the coaching staff have praised Butler for setting the tone early with his competitiveness and energy.
Curry and Green Praise Butler’s Stability and Influence
Stephen Curry emphasized how valuable it’s been to have Butler for a full training camp — a luxury the Warriors didn’t have last year after acquiring him midseason.
“It helps him as a player and as a person to have stability,” Curry said during media day. “Based on how last year ended, he knows the system, knows what he brings, and how he can help us win. Having that clarity going into camp just gives everyone confidence.”
Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, crediting Butler for establishing the team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
“You can build an identity from the beginning,” Green said. “Defensive communication, effort, tone — all those things start now, and Jimmy sets that example every day.”
Butler’s Arrival Revitalized Warriors in 2025 Playoff Push
Butler’s arrival at the 2025 trade deadline marked a turning point for Golden State. His energy, toughness, and leadership helped the Warriors finish the regular season 23–8, storming back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
Even while battling a pelvic contusion in the first round against the Houston Rockets, Butler powered the Warriors to a series win before the team’s postseason ended in the second round after Curry’s hamstring injury. Golden State fell in four straight to the Minnesota Timberwolves after taking Game 1.
Still, Butler’s impact was undeniable — his defensive intensity and emotional leadership reignited the same hunger that fueled Golden State’s dynastic run from 2015 to 2022.