Stephen A. Smith believes Jimmy Butler has to step up in Steph Curry’s absence and win one game for the Warriors.
The ESPN analyst gave his thoughts after the Minnesota Timberwolves thrashed Golden State 117-93 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“Jimmy Butler has got to be good for a game, he’s got to be,” Smith told Michael Wilbon and Brian Windhorst Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “That’s what you got him there for. You got him there for more than that, but especially in a situation like this. Jayden McDaniels, Julius Randle and [Anthony Edwards] when guarding Jimmy Butler, Jimmy Butler is shooting 13 percent in this series, two of 15, he’s got to do better.
“He’s got to be able to get you one game. And that’s really what this comes down to. Knowing Steph Curry is going to be out, Draymond [Green] shooting 1-of-6 from three and not scoring too much last night. Buddy Hield, you expected a little bit more.
“Jimmy Butler can’t be shooting 39 percent from the field; he’s got to raise his level of play and be the guy we know him to be come postseason for one game. Because if the reports are right, Steph Curry will be back, hopefully by Game 5, worst-case scenario, Game 6. They’ll either be tied 2-2, hopefully, or even if they’re down 3-2, you’ve got to have a chance. But you’ve got to get a game without Steph Curry.”
“Jimmy Butler has got to be good for a game. … You got to get a game without Steph Curry. That’s Jimmy Butler’s job.”
—@stephenasmith on if the Timberwolves-Warriors series is over pic.twitter.com/7uqv1WYtq2
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 9, 2025
With Curry out due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Minnesota took full advantage, pummeling Golden State from tipoff. Butler and the rest of the Warriors’ offense had no answer for Edwards and the Timberwolves, who rebounded from a poor shooting night in Game 1 to light it up from beyond the arc.
Between poor shot selection, sloppy ball handling and an inability to attack the rim, Golden State was out of sorts the entire contest.
Now the series heads to Chase Center, where the Warriors can get back on track. Without Curry, Butler will need to turn into “Playoff Jimmy” and put the team on his back as he has done so many previous postseasons.
Otherwise, Golden State will be headed for an early playoff exit before Curry can return to the floor.
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