Jimmy Butler sees the Golden State Warriors as a title contender, praising young talent and hard work while stressing the importance of staying healthy after their 2025 playoff exit.
The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs after losing the second-round series to the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 on Wednesday.
Player of the Game
Julius Randle
32
Julius Randle
Points
Accuracy
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Assists
Without Steph Curry, who injured his hamstring during their Game 1 win, the Warriors just couldn't advance, and even "Playoff Jimmy" couldn't carry them to the Western Conference Finals.
But Jimmy Butler, who joined GSW in early February after being traded from the Miami Heat, remains optimistic about the team's future. In the Bay Area, he has found a renewed joy in playing basketball.
"A bunch of great guys that work incredibly hard, young talent that's gonna be incredibly successful in this league," Butler said of the Warriors teammates. "It's all about staying healthy as it always is, and getting more and more comfortable playing with one another."
Credit CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA - Scanpix
The 35-year-old veteran sees this team as a legitimate title contender—but only if they can stay healthy.
"For sure. I think we all know that," he said. "We all believe that. Like I said, injuries are part of it; nobody wants to be injured. It's all about playing basketball, the best basketball at the right time, and being healthy at the right time. Unfortunately, that wasn't us, and we came up short."
After Game 5, Butler was also asked when he, Draymond Green, and Curry might get together to talk about next season.
"That's a very good question. Maybe on a plane, I don't know," he said. "For sure, sometime this summer. But when it happens, it will happen."
During the playoffs, Butler averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over 11 games.
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