SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler once again proved why he’s the key piece in Golden State’s championship puzzle. On Monday night at Chase Center, Butler scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists, leading the Warriors to a 134-117 blowout over the Utah Jazz and snapping a three-game losing streak.
The highlight came early when Butler ran the right lane, received a pass from Gary Payton II on a 2-on-1 fastbreak, and rose up alongside the 7-foot Lauri Markkanen to finish a contested layup. The play encapsulated Butler’s style: controlled, physical, and assertive, a stark contrast to the Jazz star’s night.
Markkanen, who entered the game averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game, had a rough night against the Warriors. Limited to just 17 points on 31.6-percent shooting, he was held well below his season average. “Yeah, they’re hard to guard,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said pregame, highlighting the challenge of containing a player of Markkanen’s caliber. With Draymond Green and Al Horford sidelined, Kerr entrusted the task to Gary Payton II, and the team’s defensive scheme paid dividends.
Meanwhile, Butler’s performance showed why Golden State’s front office valued him over other potential offseason acquisitions. While the Warriors had previously chased Paul George and considered a reunion with Kevin Durant, Butler’s consistency and versatility have silenced any “what-if” scenarios. Curry and Butler have now played 15 games together this season, producing a plus-50 net rating and a staggering 120.6 offensive rating—a combination that has become increasingly difficult for opponents to handle.
“Lauri Markkanen is having an incredible run. He’s been playing at a high level for a couple of years now,” Kerr said. “But to really be proficient in this style, you need someone like Markkanen, or Steph, or Klay. Jimmy Butler is that type of player who can create reactions from the defense, and that’s what makes him so valuable.”
Golden State’s win Monday night was more than a victory—it was a statement. With the team at 10-9, the Warriors are showing they can integrate a high-level veteran like Butler without disrupting the chemistry built around Curry and Green. In fact, the trio of Butler, Curry, and Green has a combined plus-61 net rating over 14 games, underscoring the synergy that has developed in their first full season together.
Butler’s impact extends beyond stats. He controls the pace, makes teammates better, and dominates critical moments, both offensively and defensively. Against Utah, he not only scored efficiently but also grabbed rebounds and orchestrated plays in traffic, including tipping back his own miss and capitalizing on mismatches, such as the one against rookie Walter Clayton Jr.
The Warriors’ decision to acquire Butler at last season’s trade deadline now looks prescient. While other options like Markkanen, George, or Durant could have changed the team’s trajectory, none have contributed to the Warriors’ current chemistry and efficiency like Butler has alongside Curry and Green.
As the season progresses, the message is clear: Jimmy Butler isn’t just a high-level addition—he is the linchpin of Golden State’s title aspirations. With elite veteran talent around him and the ability to dominate high-stakes games, Butler continues to remind everyone exactly why he’s the ultimate difference-maker.
For the Warriors, Monday’s win is more than a number in the standings—it’s a validation. Butler’s presence has not only elevated the team’s ceiling but also silenced any lingering doubts about the best path forward for Golden State’s championship window.
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