Jimmy Butler’s injury after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Miami Heat 135-112 at home on Monday overshadowed the team’s joy.
The 26-year-old forward suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, something that worried NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith.
Smith’s devastating prediction for Golden State
The Warriors forward had to be assisted off the court in the third quarter of the game against his former team after falling awkwardly on his right knee following contact with Davion Mitchell, who was called for a foul.
Although he did not finish the game, Jimmy had 17 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, making him the team’s third-leading scorer behind Steph Curry (19) and Brandin Podziemski (24).
This is just proof of how important he has become to the team, even to Curry himself, with whom he has shown great chemistry on the court.
Despite a four-game winning streak, with the forward ruled out for the rest of the season, Stephen A. Smith does not believe the Warriors will continue on this path:
“I think [Butler’s injury] means they go home in the first round,” Smith said bluntly on ESPN’s First Take.
The truth is that finding someone to replace Butler’s level of production and playoff experience will likely be one of the most difficult tasks Steve Kerr faces this season. In 37 games with the Warriors, Jimmy has averaged 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 52% shooting from the field.
Jonathan Kuminga is probably the first option that many fans have in mind, but Smith said the coach might not consider the player:
“[Kuminga] is going in the opposite direction. We know it’s not because of his skill set; in all likelihood, it’s because of his relationship with the coach. Steve Kerr doesn’t seem to want him to play for the Warriors,” Smith proclaimed.
The truth is that this news, and above all, this prediction, hits Stephen Curry hard, who is playing his 17th season at a high level and fighting for a new ring.
At 37, he averages 27.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes per game and leads the league with 4.5 three-pointers per game. In addition, he was named an All-Star starter for the 11th time, making this his 12th appearance.
Meanwhile, as the team adjusts to Butler’s absence, the Warriors (25-19) will host the Toronto Raptors (22-21) on Tuesday, January 20, at Chase Stadium.
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