“We have a good rhythm”: Steve Kerr says Warriors are focused after losing Jimmy Butler to injury

The Golden State Warriors suffered a crushing blow to their season Monday night, as veteran star Jimmy Butler went down with a torn right ACL during a 135–112 win over the Miami Heat — a devastating injury that abruptly ends his campaign and forces Golden State to reassess its outlook moving forward.

The incident occurred midway through the third quarter at Chase Center in what had been a comfortable night for the Warriors. Butler rose to receive an entry pass near the lane before colliding with Heat guard Davion Mitchell. As he came down, Butler landed awkwardly and his right knee appeared to twist underneath him. He immediately collapsed to the floor in obvious pain, clutching his leg as the arena fell silent.

Teammates and training staff rushed to Butler’s side as he remained down for several minutes, with the Warriors visibly shaken by the sight of one of their most important pieces unable to get up. Butler was eventually helped to the sideline by Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga, his arms draped over their shoulders as he struggled to put any weight on his right leg. He was later placed in a wheelchair near the locker room area.

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An MRI later confirmed the grim diagnosis: Butler suffered a season-ending ACL tear, according to his agent Bernie Lee.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke somberly about the injury after the game, calling it a heartbreaking moment for both Butler and the franchise — especially given how well the 36-year-old had been playing in recent weeks.

“Well, most of all just disappointed for Jimmy. He’s having a great year,” Kerr said during his postgame press conference. “I felt like the last couple weeks he was really at the top of his game. So for him and for us obviously, for him individually, in the middle of a really great season with a lot of possibilities, a lot of excitement with the team the way he was playing, I just feel terrible for him that he is going to miss the rest of the year.

“It’s part of the game, I know, injuries are a part of it, but it hurts for sure,” he added.

Before the injury, Butler had been a steady presence for Golden State and one of the main reasons the team has remained competitive in a crowded Western Conference race. The six-time All-Star entered the night as the Warriors’ second-leading scorer behind franchise icon Stephen Curry, averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while frequently handling late-game possessions and anchoring the team’s defensive intensity on the wing.

Kerr admitted the Warriors have not yet had the chance to fully process what Butler’s loss means long term, but emphasized that the team must quickly turn the page and rely on its rhythm, chemistry, and current momentum.

“You just look at it matter-of-factly. We get it, this is part of the NBA, part of sports,” Kerr said. “I’m not going to spend a whole lot of time analyzing where we are in the food chain of the NBA, I’m going to focus on what we can do to win tonight and win the next game.

Jimmy Butler III will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Jimmy will undergo surgery at a to-be-determined date. pic.twitter.com/UB7K7MmNoV

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 20, 2026

“We have a good vibe going, we have a really good rhythm, we have found I think a pattern of connecting the game offensively and defensively. I think we can continue to do those things and win games. And if we do that we build confidence, we build momentum and keep going,” he added.

The injury comes at a particularly critical stretch in Golden State’s schedule. With the team riding a wave of strong form, the Warriors improved to 25–20 with the win, extending their streak to four straight victories and giving them 12 wins in their last 16 games. They are approaching the final game of an eight-game homestand, a stretch that had begun to stabilize their season after an uneven start.

Still, even with their recent surge, the Warriors remain eighth in the Western Conference standings — meaning any extended absence from a key contributor could have a major impact on their ability to climb into a more favorable playoff position.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy also addressed the setback, praising Butler’s impact since arriving in Golden State and acknowledging how difficult it is to lose a veteran presence who had quickly become a major part of the team’s identity.

“He has meant so much to this organization since he got here,” Dunleavy said. “It’s hard to believe he hasn’t even been here a year, he’s fit in so well. You hate it for him. The beat goes on, you have got to keep going and I think our team’s playing really good. We have been playing some good basketball. That’s the bright spot here.

“I don’t have a positive twist on the news, it’s not good. ACL injuries are not things that you can be positive about, but this will all come out well in the end and we will move forward,” he added.

With Butler now sidelined, Golden State’s rotation is expected to undergo immediate changes. Veteran big man Al Horford and guard De’Anthony Melton are projected to take on expanded roles, while the Warriors may look to redistribute Butler’s scoring and playmaking responsibilities through a committee approach.

The timing of the injury also creates a new layer of urgency as the trade deadline draws closer. Dunleavy and the front office now face a difficult decision: whether to stay the course and trust the current roster, or explore moves that could help cushion the blow of losing Butler for the remainder of the season.

That conversation could involve forward Jonathan Kuminga, who has been the subject of trade speculation in recent weeks. While it remains unclear whether Golden State will seriously entertain offers, Butler’s injury could complicate the Warriors’ ability to part with another key contributor — even if Kuminga has reportedly requested a move.

For now, the Warriors will attempt to maintain their momentum, leaning on Curry’s leadership and the team’s recent defensive and offensive cohesion. But losing Butler — a two-way force and postseason-proven competitor — represents a massive challenge for a franchise still trying to position itself for a deep playoff run.

As Kerr put it, the reality is unavoidable: Golden State must keep moving, even as it absorbs one of the most painful setbacks of its season.

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