The Golden State Warriors faced a scary moment on Monday night when forward Jimmy Butler left the game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center with an injured right knee. Butler stepped up to catch the ball in the paint and fell awkwardly after making contact with Heat guard Davion Mitchell. He grimaced, grabbed his knees, and collapsed to the floor. After the game stopped, his teammates quickly surrounded him.
Butler lay on the ground for a moment before teammates Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga helped him to his feet. Unable to bear weight on his legs, he was slowly escorted to the locker room. Warriors staff later ruled him out for the remainder of the game due to knee issues.
Before leaving, Butler had been efficient and positive. He played 21 minutes, made 6 of 11 shots, scored 17 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
An MRI has been scheduled and the team is awaiting word on the severity
The Warriors immediately sent Butler for an MRI to determine the severity of his knee injury. The club did not release details of the scan results but confirmed the procedure.
Stars teammate Stephen Curry described his emotions after the game and said he hoped to get good scan news. “As far as scans and everything, just praying that everything goes well,” Curry told reporters while expressing support for Butler.
Jimmy Butler went down with an apparent knee injury and returned to the locker room —
Get up in prayer. 🙏
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 20, 2026
Impact on Warriors season
Butler’s injury comes at a critical moment. The Golden State Warriors have built momentum with a strong series of wins and are climbing into the Western Conference playoff race. But losing a core scorer and veteran leader could change the team’s outlook.
Butler has been an important addition to Curry this season. Before the injury, he was averaging over 20 points per game, shooting efficiently and bringing physical defense.
Jimmy Butler can’t put weight on his right knee. Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga helped him get back to the locker room after a concerning scene at Chase Center. pic.twitter.com/4uSCuzXgEk
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 20, 2026
what happens next
The Warriors are now awaiting MRI results to clarify Butler’s condition. If he misses significant time, Golden State will have to adjust rotations and roles. The team could turn to younger players or explore moves to add depth before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Coaches and players have emphasized resilience, but the loss of Butler will be a major test for this Warriors team.
