Jimmy Butler reportedly suffered torn ACL in Monday's Warriors-Heat game

The Golden State Warriors' playoff hopes suffered a catastrophic blow Monday night as forward Jimmy Butler sustained a torn ACL in his right knee, according to multiple reports, ending his season.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Warriors' 135-112 victory over the Miami Heat. Butler landed awkwardly after catching a pass in the paint, immediately collapsing to the floor in visible agony. He was helped to the locker room, unable to put weight on his right leg.

"Praying for the best, as far as scans," teammate Stephen Curry said postgame before the severity was known.

The 36-year-old Butler, a five-time All-NBA selection acquired last season to bolster Golden State's championship aspirations, had been averaging 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season. This is the third significant injury to the same knee in his career, following a meniscus tear in 2018 and an MCL sprain in 2024.

The loss of Butler is a devastating blow to a Warriors team (25-19) already clinging to the eighth seed in the competitive Western Conference. With the veteran star sidelined, Golden State's prospects of making a deep postseason run appear severely diminished.