Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler is rehabbing a torn ACL that ended his 2025-26 season way too soon, but don’t even think he’s coming back soft. Speaking to ESPN’s Anthony Slater this week, Butler pulled no punches, declaring, “y’all motherf–kers going to be real shocked if y’all think I’m going to come back and be some bum-ass player.” Yeah, you read that right. He’s not just talking about helping the guys win another title, he wants one for himself and feels like he let them down.
The Unraveling After Butler’s Injury
This isn’t some empty promise. Butler was off to a seriously strong start last season, his first full run with the Warriors after that trade from the Miami Heat. We’re talking 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game through 38 appearances. Golden State was cooking, sitting at a solid 25-19. Then, BAM. January game against the Heat, torn ACL. And just like that, the season went sideways for the Warriors. They were not the same squad, losing eight of their final 10 games and a brutal 18 of their last 25. The 37-45 Warriors limped into the postseason play-in tournament, only to get bounced by the Phoenix Suns. Missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons? Ouch. That’s a direct result of losing their guy.
Can the Warriors Hold On Until February?
The big question mark is when exactly Butler hits the court again. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Slater they’re eyeing February for his return. February! That’s a long time to wait for their impact player. The Warriors didn’t exactly go wild with roster moves, which means familiar faces like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Brandin Podziemski are going to be carrying the load. And don’t forget rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg will need to step up too. It’s fair to wonder if this group has enough firepower to stay in the hunt until their 37-year-old star makes his comeback. But if they can somehow weather the storm and Butler truly comes back looking like his pre-injury self from last season, then Golden State could absolutely snag a playoff spot and actually do some damage. That’s a huge IF, though.
It all hinges on Jimmy Butler’s rehab and that fiery determination. He’s already moving, running, and jumping, saying he realized, “oh s–t, I could still do it.” That’s the mindset Golden State needs. They’ve got to grind it out until February, hoping their veteran core can keep them afloat. If Butler delivers on his “bum-ass player” promise, the rest of the league is going to be truly shocked.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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