Watching from the sideline with a season-ending knee injury suffered in January, Jimmy Butler spoke about his goals for next season: a championship. He emphasized that he wants to be remembered as a player who never backed down from any challenge, a teammate said after the game.
Butler’s postgame comments also celebrated the Warriors’ effort, naming Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Gui Santos, and Big Al as the leaders of the night, while Will Richard cheered from the bench. Butler’s lighthearted jab at Richard underscored the camaraderie that carried Golden State to the win.
Four Warriors players did not play but were on the bench cheering the team: Will Richard, Charles Bassey, Seth Curry, and Pat Spencer. Richard’s absence was noted only in his vocal support, which Butler highlighted as part of the collective moment.
Gui Santos starred with 20 points and a game-high plus-16, and Green’s defense helped stifle Kawhi Leonard down the stretch, complemented by timely late steals. Golden State closed the game on a 16-6 run to preserve its season and extend it into the next round of play-in action.
With one more win, the Warriors are in the playoffs. Friday’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Center will determine whether Golden State advances to a first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Butler, watching from the sideline, remains focused on a championship while his former team fights for their postseason fate.
