Jimmy Butler exits Warriors win over Heat with right knee injury
SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler had to be helped back to the locker room early in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 135-112 victory on Monday over the Heat at Chase Center.
Butler went down with 7:41 left in the third after receiving a post entry pass from Brandin Podziemski. While colliding with Miami’s Davion Mitchell, Butler landed awkwardly on his right leg, and then immediately crumpled to the ground while holding that knee.
After staying on the floor for several minutes while surrounded by teammates, Butler rose to his feet. He then slowly walked back to the locker room, helped by Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II, and putting almost zero weight on his right leg.
The Warriors listed him as out with a right knee injury a few minutes later. Butler had torn a meniscus in 2018 and had an MCL sprain in 2024 in the same knee.
Butler, 36, had been on his way to a stellar game against the team that traded him last February, finishing the night with 17 points and four assists in 21 minutes.
Jimmy Butler had to be helped to the locker room after appearing to injury his knee pic.twitter.com/sOSpAxbbAP
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 20, 2026
Butler’s injury depleted an already thin Warriors front line. Starting power forward Draymond Green was unavailable for the Heat game with a right ankle injury, though coach Steve Kerr said the team believes Green should be available for Tuesday’s matchup with the visiting Raptors.
Third-year forward Gui Santos also missed the Heat game with a left ankle injury, and Jonathan Kuminga remained on the bench after requesting a trade last week.
Butler missed Saturday’s game for personal reasons.
Despite losing one of their best players and already being shorthanded, the Warriors (25-19) were able to finish off a convincing victory over the Heat to secure their sixth win in seven games. Brandin Podziemski scored 24, and despite dealing with foul trouble throughout, Steph Curry scored 19 and had 11 assists in just 28 minutes.
Miami, missing Tyler Herro (rib contusion), was led by Norm Powell (21 points).
This story will be updated later.