Jimmy Butler stepped onto the court for the first time as a Golden State Warrior, making his debut in a commanding 132-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Saturday. His presence was immediately felt in the comeback win, and head coach Steve Kerr had high praise for the veteran forward during his postgame remarks.
“Having Jimmy with us is pretty special,” Kerr said. “He’s an incredible player. His ability to draw fouls really helps stabilize things when we need it most, but what stands out to me the most is his passing. His passing ties everything together and makes a huge impact on our offense, no matter where he is on the floor.
“He can operate from the post, make plays off the dribble, or swing the ball quickly to keep the flow going,” Kerr continued. “It’s not just about skill and strength—it’s also his presence. He has the mentality of a lion on the court, and his energy is undeniable.”
Butler Ignites Comeback in Second Half
Butler contributed 25 points while shooting 7-for-12 from the field, adding two rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. His performance started off quietly, and for a good portion of the game, it seemed like his debut might end in disappointment.
By halftime, he had only managed to score eight points, and the Warriors found themselves trailing 69-55. Chicago extended its advantage to 24 points, their largest lead of the night, when they went up 83-59 with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. At that moment, it appeared the Bulls were on their way to an easy win. However, what happened next completely flipped the script.
Golden State responded with a staggering 67-18 run that turned the game on its head, putting them ahead 126-101 by the fourth quarter. Stephen Curry was instrumental in that turnaround, pouring in 24 points in the third quarter alone to set up a dramatic finish.
Butler took over from there, opening the fourth quarter with seven straight points to give the Warriors their first double-digit lead of the game. The six-time All-Star added 10 points within the first five minutes of the quarter, ensuring that his former team had no chance to recover.
Butler’s Impact on the Warriors’ Offense
While Butler’s playmaking will certainly benefit the Warriors, his ability to get to the free-throw line is perhaps even more crucial. Golden State has struggled in that area, ranking near the bottom of the league with just 20.5 free-throw attempts per game. Against Chicago, Butler went to the line 13 times, converting 11 of those attempts. His total was the second-highest ever for a Warrior in a debut game, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 15 attempts.
Ending a brief two-game skid, Golden State evened their record at 26-26 with this victory. They may not yet be considered a serious contender, but Butler’s arrival clearly made an immediate difference, especially for Curry. The two-time MVP finished with 34 points on 10-of-19 shooting, along with four rebounds, six assists, and a block.
Defenses now have another major scoring threat to worry about, which should prevent opponents from focusing all their attention on Curry. Before Butler’s debut, Curry was averaging just 22.1 points per game this season.
With Butler now in the lineup, the hope is that he can maintain this level of production moving forward. The Warriors will return to action on Monday when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, with tip-off set for 8 PM ET.
