Only five teams remain in the NBA Playoffs as the Golden State Warriors saw a second-round exit on Wednesday night.
In a crushing 121-110 loss, the Warriors saw the Minnesota Timberwolves put an end to their remarkable run.
Jimmy Butler only scored 17 points on 11 field goal attempts in the loss, too.
After Stephen Curry went down in Game 1 -- having logged just 13 minutes -- the Warriors found a way to scrap up a win. They then lost four straight games to lose the series in Game 5.
Since the trade deadline, having acquired Butler, the Warriors were playing championship-level basketball. That fell apart when Curry went down with a hamstring strain.
Many fans and pundits expected Butler to step into the "Playoff Jimmy" role, playing similarly to the way he did when he led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals on two occasions.
Jimmy Butler
May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) plays defense in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
That didn't happen, though. Butler didn't shoot enough to really control the game with his offense or scoring. Golden State's defense wasn't strong enough to make up for that fact, either.
ESPN analyst Jay Williams knows that's an issue, too.
"You weren't asked to win the war, you were asked to hold the [expletive] line," Williams said on Get Up.
All the Warriors needed was one win with Curry sidelined. All signs pointed toward the legendary guard making a return in Game 6.
The series ended in Game 5, though, and Butler and co. were unable to force just one more game -- losing four straight after their Game 1 upset win.
Regardless of the result this season, Golden State had a successful campaign. When healthy, Curry, Butler and Draymond Green are capable of competing at the highest level.
With that in mind, the Warriors can now make the proper offseason moves to ensure the team has a chance to contend next year.