Jimmy Butler Delivers Blunt Reality Check After Warriors’ Loss – 'Everybody’s Got To Be on the Same Page'
The Golden State Warriors were given their third loss of the 2025-26 NBA season on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Jimmy Butler was one of two players who scored at least 20 points in the Warriors’ 114-109. Butler had an all-around game, adding six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. But even that wasn’t enough for Golden State to secure a win.
The Warriors had a great start to the year, posting a 4-1 record through their first five games. The team secured wins over potential playoff teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets. But the team has struggled against teams like the Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Before facing Golden State, Indiana didn’t have a single win to their record.
Because the squad has performed well against top teams while losing to underperforming ones, fans have begun to lose patience. Butler is aware that there is a need for the squad to improve its unity.
Following their loss against Indiana, Jimmy Butler didn’t hold back and was honest about his assessment of the team’s recent performance.
“We’ve got to get back to playing our roles to a T,” Butler said. “Giving a damn whenever we turn it over. Giving a damn whenever our man scores. We guard as a team, we score as a team, everybody’s got to be on the same page. I think we’ve gotten away from that a little bit.”
The Warriors have a chance to redeem themselves in their next game on Tuesday, against the Phoenix Suns. However, the Suns are not favorites to make the playoffs since, like the Pacers and Grizzlies, they have had a difficult start to the season.
Steve Kerr said the Warriors should prioritize floor spacing with Jimmy Butler
The way the Warriors have played in recent years is not comparable to Jimmy Butler’s style of play. He doesn’t shoot the ball from long range like Steph Curry. Instead, he generates his points by driving inside the basket and forcing his way to the rim.
Unfortunately, the Warriors’ lineup of Buter, Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga restricts him from being effective on offense. Green and Kuminga aren’t reliable outside shooters, which clogs the floor inside the 3-point arc.
Following the team’s loss to the Pacers, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr commented on addressing spacing problems with Butler.
“We’re probably trying too hard to make plays happen. We saw some mismatches that ran on to the post, which would have been great in 2005. But not anymore,” Kerr said. “You really have to keep that lane open. It opens up a lot of possibilities for us, especially with Jimmy and JK driving, getting opportunities with Draymond on the perimeter.
If the Warriors solve their spacing issues, they could be problematic for the other 29 teams this season.
49ers trade deadline plans are now obvious after latest injury update
The San Francisco 49ers notched another win on Sunday, moving to 6-3 after defeating the New York Giants 34-24. While winning has been a theme for the Niners this season, so have significant injuries. Unfortunately, San Francisco experienced both in Week 9.
The major injury in this game happened to Mykel Williams, who is feared to have suffered a torn ACL.
The rookie edge defender will be the latest key player the 49ers lose for the season, and also the latest edge in San Francisco to go down with an injury. The Niners were already thin at that position and were expected to acquire an edge defender ahead of the trade deadline, but now they may be forced to make a trade if Williams is out for the remainder of the year.
Early in the season, San Francisco lost perennial Pro Bowler and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa to an ACL injury. Bosa’s absence put a strain on the group, and that strain was intensified when Bryce Huff went down with a hamstring injury in Week 7. Huff is expected to return this year, but he has missed the last two games, leaving the 49ers without much of a pass rush.
Now, Williams has joined his veterans on the injury report, and San Francisco has no choice but to add a veteran edge defender. Fortunately for the Niners, there are options. The most likely options both play for the Miami Dolphins, who have officially opened up for business after falling to 2-7 and firing their general manager. Outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon are both trade candidates, and San Francisco could actually use both of them.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 49ers will surely be active up until that point.
San Francisco clearly has a competitive team, so it needs to try and fill the gaps while it can.
