Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association What Jimmy Butler Injury Means for Warriors' Season & Are the Pistons the Team to Beat in the East?
Jan 20, 2026
Matt Moore, a renowned senior NBA writer, and Haize, host of the Locked On Bulls podcast, dive into the implications of Jimmy Butler's ACL injury on the Warriors. They discuss how this could alter Golden State's roster and explore the trade options available to keep Steph Curry's championship hopes alive. Also, they analyze the surprising success of the Pistons, assessing whether they are emerging as the Eastern Conference's top contender while touching on their recent victory over the Celtics.
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Warriors Lose Core Playmaker
- Jimmy Butler's season-ending ACL tear is a catastrophic blow to Golden State's offensive construction and playmaking balance.
- Matt Moore and Haize argue the Warriors become significantly worse without Butler's dual scoring-and-passing role.
Play Kuminga And Hunt Deals Now
- The Warriors should consider playing Jonathan Kuminga more immediately to boost value and fill minutes left by Butler.
- Be aggressive at the trade deadline and in the buyout market to try to salvage the title window around Steph Curry.
Age Makes ACL Recovery Dire
- An ACL tear at Jimmy Butler's age (36–37) often reduces future effectiveness even if players return to play.
- Matt Moore warns this injury could force Golden State into difficult roster choices for Curry's remaining window.