CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 7: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 7, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 7: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 7, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors received the worst possible news on Jimmy Butler‘s knee injury.
Butler suffered a torn right ACL in Monday’s 135-112 win over the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. His season is over.
The six-time All-Star went down in the third quarter at Chase Center after catching a contested pass in the paint. Butler landed awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the ground after contact from Davion Mitchell drew a foul.
Butler immediately clutched his right knee and screamed in pain. Head coach Steve Kerr called a timeout to check on him as Butler writhed on the court near the baseline.
Teammates Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II helped Butler off the floor. He was unable to put any weight on his right foot as he made his way to the tunnel.
The Warriors ruled Butler out for the game shortly after he left the court. The team announced he would undergo an MRI but did not reveal any information about the severity of the injury at the time.
Charania’s report of Butler’s ACL tear broke overnight, hours after the conclusion of Monday’s game.
Shams Charania
Breaking: Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler has suffered a season-ending torn right ACL, sources tell ESPN.
How Jimmy Butler Got Injured During the Warriors’ Win
Butler was playing well before the injury occurred.
He had 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 21 minutes. Golden State was building a comfortable lead, and Butler was contributing on both ends of the floor.
The injury happened midway through the third quarter. Butler caught a pass in the paint and went up for a shot. Mitchell made contact, drawing a foul, but Butler landed awkwardly on his right leg. His knee buckled, and he collapsed immediately.
ClutchPoints
Jimmy Butler had to be assisted to the locker room after appearing to hurt his knee.
Hope he’s okay 🙏
The Chase Center crowd went silent. Butler immediately grabbed his knee in visible pain. Medical staff rushed over to examine him while Kerr called a timeout.
After several minutes on the floor, Butler was helped to the locker room. He could not put any weight on his right leg, which raised immediate concerns about ligament damage.
Stephen Curry addressed the injury after the game.
“I haven’t talked to him since the game, but you never like to see a situation like that, especially somebody as tough as he is,” Curry said. “Praying for the best, obviously with scans and all that. Hopefully, he is alright.”
Kerr described the locker room as subdued after the game.
“We’re all concerned,” Kerr said. “Subdued. Waiting to hear the news.”
The MRI confirmed the worst-case scenario: a torn ACL that will end Butler’s season.
Steph Curry on the Jimmy Butler injury:
"I haven't talked to him since the game but you never like to see a situation like that especially somebody as tough as he is. Praying for the best obviously with scans and all that. Hopefully he is alright" https://t.co/I61oJnbpBe pic.twitter.com/Hfud4ve340
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 20, 2026
Jimmy Butler’s History With Knee Injuries
This is not the first time Butler has suffered a significant injury to his right knee.
He tore his meniscus in 2018 while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. That injury cost him several weeks but did not require season-ending surgery. Butler also sprained his MCL in 2024 while with the Heat, an injury that sidelined him for multiple games.
Now, at 36 years old, Butler faces the most serious injury of his career. ACL tears typically require 9-12 months of recovery, which means Butler will likely miss the start of the 2026-27 season as well.
The question now is whether Butler can return to the same level of play after such a devastating injury. ACL tears are difficult for any player to come back from, but they are especially challenging for older players who rely on athleticism and explosiveness.
Butler has built his career on toughness and resilience. He has overcome adversity throughout his life and has repeatedly proven doubters wrong. But a torn ACL at 36 years old is a different challenge entirely.
The recovery process will be long and grueling. Butler will need to rehab for months before he can even think about returning to the court. And even then, there is no guarantee he will be the same player.
What Butler’s ACL Tear Means for the Warriors’ Season
Jimmy Butler
GettyGolden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler has suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee.
Losing Butler is a devastating blow for Golden State.
Butler is in his second season with the Warriors after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Heat in 2024-25. The Warriors brought him in to help compete for another championship during the back end of Curry’s prime.
Butler has delivered on that promise. Through 37 games this season, he was averaging 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.9% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range. He has been the Warriors’ second-leading scorer behind Curry and has provided elite two-way impact on both ends of the floor.
Curry, meanwhile, is averaging 27.6 points per game and leads the league for an 11th time with 4.5 made threes per game. He was named an All-Star starter earlier Monday.
With Butler and Curry leading the way, the Warriors have climbed to 25-19 and hold the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Golden State was finally finding its rhythm after a slow start to the season. The team had won three straight games heading into Monday and was playing some of its best basketball of the year.
Butler’s ACL tear projects to end any realistic hope of Golden State competing for a championship this season.
The Warriors will need others to step up in Butler’s absence. Draymond Green will shoulder more of the playmaking and defensive responsibilities. De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski will likely see increased minutes. Curry will be asked to carry even more of the offensive load.
But none of those adjustments can replace what Butler brings. The Warriors are a significantly worse team without him, and their playoff hopes have taken a major hit.
Golden State’s Championship Hopes Take a Major Hit
The Warriors acquired Butler to compete for a championship.
Golden State traded significant assets to bring him in, including Andrew Wiggins and a 2025 first-round pick. The move was designed to maximize Curry’s remaining prime years and give the Warriors one more chance to win a title.
For a season and a half, the partnership worked. Butler provided scoring, playmaking, and elite defense. Curry continued to play at an MVP level. The Warriors remained competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
Now, that championship window has likely slammed shut.
Butler’s ACL tear removes the Warriors’ second-best player and one of the league’s premier two-way stars. Golden State does not have the depth or talent to overcome losing a player of Butler’s caliber. The Warriors were already facing an uphill battle to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs. Without Butler, that challenge becomes insurmountable.
The Warriors will continue to fight for a playoff spot. Curry is still capable of carrying the offense on any given night. Green remains one of the league’s best defensive players. The supporting cast has shown flashes of competence throughout the season.
But competing for a championship without Butler is unrealistic. The Warriors know that. The front office knows that. And the players know that.
Final Word for the Warriors
Jimmy Butler’s season is over.
The torn ACL he suffered Monday night ends his year and deals a devastating blow to the Warriors’ championship hopes. Butler was playing some of the best basketball of his career at 36 years old, and now he faces a long and uncertain recovery.
For the Warriors, the loss is catastrophic. Golden State brought Butler in to compete for titles during Curry’s remaining prime years. Now, that plan is in ruins. The Warriors will fight to make the playoffs, but their realistic championship aspirations are gone.
Butler’s injury also raises questions about his future. ACL tears are difficult for any player to overcome, but they are especially challenging for older players. Butler will be 37 years old by the time he is fully recovered, and there is no guarantee he will return to the same level of play.
For now, the Warriors must regroup and figure out how to move forward without their second-best player. Curry will need to carry more of the load. Green will need to lead the defense. And the supporting cast will need to step up in ways they have not been asked to all season.
The Warriors’ season is not over. But their championship dreams likely are.