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'This shatters the hope the Warriors had this season for contending for a championship,' said ESPN's Shams Charania
Published Jan 20, 2026 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 2 minute read
012026-Heat-Warriors-Basketball
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, checks on forward Jimmy Butler III during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Photo by Jeff Chiu /AP
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Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler’s season has ended after tearing his right ACL in the third quarter of Monday’s game against the Miami Heat.
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ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania confirmed the injury on SportsCenter Tuesday morning, noting the recovery time for Butler is a whole “calendar year.”
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“This shatters the hope the Warriors had this season for contending for a championship,” said Charania.
He said the Warriors “had been playing the best basketball this season,” noting Butler’s arrival to the team lifted their chances in the Western Conference.
“He’s facing a lengthy recovery,” Charania said of the 36-year-old Butler. “Lots of questions about his future. But for the immediate future of the Warriors, this really puts a dent in their chances to compete for a championship.”
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Butler hurt after catching a pass
Butler was injured at the 7:41 mark of the third quarter of Monday’s game against the Heat.
He was hurt after catching a pass in the paint, going down awkwardly and hard after colliding with Miami’s Davion Mitchell, who was called for a foul.
Butler’s knee buckled upon landing and he grimaced in pain while grabbing his right knee. He was helped off the court by teammates Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield.
In just under 21 minutes of play, Butler had 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, four assists and three rebounds. He is Golden State’s second-leading scorer behind Stephen Curry, having averaged 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists entering the week.
Golden State beat Miami 135-112 on Monday.
An MRI for Butler was scheduled for Tuesday.
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Curry, Kerr concerned about Butler
“We’re all really concerned but we’ll know more after the MRI,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “Everybody is subdued because of the injury, waiting to hear the news.”
Curry said Butler’s injury isn’t something he’s seen before. He said he usually expected his teammate to “get up and even if he can’t finish the game just get off the sideline.
“I just told him to take his time and figure out what he needed in that moment,” said Curry.
Butler was able to find humour despite the situation, with Curry stating the player was “still cracking jokes” while on the ground.
“He’s always going to have a good time no matter the situation is,” said Curry. “I do love that perspective and that part of his personality, even in the worst of moment he’s still having a good time.”
Kerr noted Butler was asking for two three throws after the injury, noting he was in good spirits.
He also said Butler is an “alpha” and the Warriors roster has a lot of depth with players “who can play.”
– With files from the Associated Press
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