Jimmy Butler left the Miami Heat for the Golden State Warriors last year.
After six years with the Florida-based outfit, Butler forced through a trade to the Golden State Warriors.
He made a strong start to life in San Francisco before suffering a season-ending injury this January against the Miami Heat.
Jimmy Butler picks up an injury in 2026
Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
An avid tennis fan, Butler has been watching the action at Indian Wells this week and was seen trying to convince Coco Gauff to switch allegiances from Miami to Golden State.
Jimmy Butler tells Coco Gauff to ‘switch’ to the Golden State Warriors
A video on the ‘Indian Wells‘ YouTube channel showed the interaction between Gauff and Butler.
“By the way, your team hurt me, the [Miami] Heat hurt me,” said Butler.
“I know they did, and I’m sorry for that. To be fair, I haven’t been to a game since!” said Gauff.
Gauff wasn’t ready to stop supporting the Heat, though.
“Great! Switch alliances,” said Butler.
“No, I can’t do that, though!” Gauff replied.
Coco Gauff pictured at Indian Wells in 2026
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
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Butler tried to convince Gauff by reminding her that he plays for the same team as Steph Curry.
“Remember, Steph [Curry] is on my team now, everybody loves Steph!” said Butler.
“I do love Steph…” added Gauff.
“See, Coco is a Warriors fan! She said it! Coco loves the Warriors. Good to see you,” said Butler.
“Y’all heard it, Coco is a Warriors fan, clip that, seriously, let’s get it viral!”
When is Jimmy Butler expected to return?
Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL.
He is expected to miss a large chunk of the 2026/2027 season, too.
Without him, the Golden State Warriors sit ninth in the Western Conference.
They play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, March 14, looking to move into playoff contention.
Coco Gauff retires from Indian Wells match due to injury
Gauff didn’t have the best time in California.
After winning her opening match against Kamilla Rakhimova, 6-3, 7-6, she took on the remarkably popular, Alex Eala.
Trailing by a set to love, Gauff retired due to injury.
She soon shared a fitness update on Instagram.
“I felt a weird pain in my left arm in the second game of the match, I tried to continue but it was getting more intense,” said Gauff.
Coco Gauff exits Indian Wells in 2026
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
“As most of you know, I rarely have to end matches with a retirement, but because it was an unfamiliar pain, I decided it was best not to continue. Never felt anything like this before, going to get an MRI tomorrow to see what’s up, but I’ll be okay.”
Whether Gauff will be fit to compete at the Miami Open next week remains to be seen.
The 2026 Miami Open main draw begins on Tuesday, March 17.
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