The Golden State Warriors suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat last night, with the Heat securing a 112-86 victory in Jimmy Butler’s first game against the Warriors since his trade in February. Although Butler received a tribute video from the team he left under tense circumstances, it was clear the gesture didn’t significantly impact his personal feelings.
After the game, Butler briefly acknowledged a few courtside fans but quickly headed to the locker room, ignoring his former Warriors teammates as they exchanged pleasantries with the Heat. While the Warriors welcomed back Andrew Wiggins warmly, Butler didn’t engage with anyone. It was an unremarkable homecoming for Butler, whose team had a convincing loss, and his performance mirrored the disappointment—scoring only 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting and grabbing six rebounds in the absence of Stephen Curry.
Despite this momentary win for the Heat, it doesn’t erase the struggles they’ve faced this season. The trade saga surrounding Butler disrupted their early months, but even when he was playing with reduced effort or suspended, the Heat remained competitive. However, they managed just four wins in their first 21 games post-trade, including an 11-game losing streak, which left them in the Play-In Tournament with a 31-41 record.
In contrast, Butler has had a far better run with the Warriors, averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, helping the team achieve a 15-5 record in games he’s played. While he has complemented Curry effectively as a co-star, Butler hasn’t yet thrived as the clear No. 1 player in crucial moments. It would have been ideal to see him take charge against the Heat, but he was contained throughout the game.
Butler has also distanced himself from the concept of “Heat Culture,” the term often associated with the Miami Heat’s unique, gritty approach to basketball. Though he acknowledges the foundation of the culture, he believes the term is overused and that a major part of it is simply about having players who buy into a winning mindset. Butler, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in five seasons with the Heat, believes that having great players is what truly defines a team’s success, not just the culture surrounding it.