The Golden State Warriors are one loss away from having their 2024-25 NBA season be over. The Minnesota Timberwolves have them on the ropes with a 3-1 series deficit.
This matchup changed dramatically when Stephen Curry left Game 1 with a hamstring injury. At first things looked promising.
The Warriors managed to secure a 1-0 series lead, offering hope with regard to how well they could manage without the four-time NBA champion. That optimism was quickly dashed.
Minnesota won the next three games to take a stranglehold on the series, going up 3-1. Golden State is now searching for answers, desperately hoping for something or someone to prolong their season.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
© David Gonzales
Warriors need Jimmy Butler to answer the call
Jimmy Butler was not supposed to be the feature star for the Warriors in a series. His role was to be Robin to Curry’s Batman. However, with the superstar point guard out, Butler has been asked to be Nightwing. The results speak for themselves.
Butler has averaged 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the last three games for the Warriors. Those numbers are largely propped up by a strong Game 3 performance.
As unfair as it may be, Butler needs to be asked to deliver more than he has.
“He wasn’t as aggressive tonight but I didn’t see a lot of openings either,” Steve Kerr said in defense of his Warriors star after Game 4. “Ideally, we could put more shooting around him to open up the floor a little bit.”
Kerr added: “With Steph out, we’re not going to be able to do as much of that. … We’ll look at the tape and see where we can find some openings for him, and I know he’ll be aggressive for Game 5.”
It’s a time like this when the Warriors will be pleading to see the version of Butler that led the Miami Heat to two unexpected NBA Finals appearances.
Is that an unfair ask of the 35-year-old? Perhaps it is. On the other hand, after making the move to acquire Butler before the NBA trade deadline, these are also the type of scenarios in which the six-time All-Star was brought in to elevate the team.