Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors took care of business against the Houston Rockets on Monday night, notching a 109-106 at the Chase Center.
Butler missed Game 3 after suffering a pelvic contusion during the Warriors’ loss in Game 2. But as the Warriors took the court for Game 4 on Monday night, the 35-year-old veteran was back in Steve Kerr’s starting lineup.
Butler, who was acquired in a trade with the Miami Heats earlier this season, finished the game with a team-high 27 points, six assists and five rebounds. He also reeled in a game-sealing rebound after an impressive defensive stop from Draymond Green on the final possession.
Butler took the microphone for a postgame interview on TNT, sending a powerful message about his new home with the Warriors.
“It means the world. I’d die for these guys, for real. It’s so fun,” Butler said. “I’ve got my joy back.”
Butler also alluded to his first-half altercation with Dillon Brooks. During the second quarter, TNT cameras captured a heated verbal exchange between the opposing players.
“Somebody said something to me,” Butler said. “That’s all it takes. Someone to say something to me — gets me going every single time… There are mics underneath the goal, you can hear it.”
Jimmy Butler: “I got my joy back”
pic.twitter.com/1HQL6QF5qX— HeatHound (@PureHeatles) April 29, 2025
“You a bum and a b*tch. You weak.”😳
– Jimmy Butler to Dillon Brooks
(h/t @Fullcourtpass )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 29, 2025
“I always say we’ve got the most confident guys,” Butler continued. “Anybody can put the ball in the basket. But more than anything, we’re locking in on the defensive side of the ball. We’re playing hard. When we limit our turnovers, we’re hard to beat.”
The Warriors will look to close out their first-round playoff series with another win in Game 5 on Wednesday night.