“Never Gonna Be on the Bench”: Jimmy Butler Has Warriors’ Reserves’ Back After Rough Night Against Hawks

The Warriors won eight of their last 11 games leading up to Sunday night’s contest with the Hawks. The stretch of solid play has got them over .500, solidifying their standing in the Western Conference playoff race. That momentum has snapped, though, losing 124-111 to Atlanta at Chase Center.

Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler showed up for Golden State, but their combined 61 points weren’t nearly enough to overcome a superior team-wide effort. The Hawks finished with six players in double-digits, including new arrival CJ McCollum.

Three of those players — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Luke Kennard — all scored 22 or more, while De’Anthony Melton was the only other Warrior to even hit 10 points. Butler spoke after the game about the loss, and though he said the Warriors lacked effort, he didn’t pin the blame on the bench’s poor production.

“Al is great,” Butler said of Al Horford. “Our bench is great,” he praised, before talking about the need to work together as a strong, single unit.

“You have off nights, but it’s never gonna be on the bench, it’s gonna be us as a collective to do what we’re supposed [to] do — take care of the ball, guard, communicate… It’s all about effort, communication, and doing what you’re supposed to be doing,” added Butler.

The Warriors’ reserves have been a key to their recent run. And, while they didn’t put their best foot forward in this one, Butler’s right that the loss isn’t all on them.

Golden State lost the turnover battle 15-7, and they shot just 10-42 from 3-point range. Draymond Green, Quinten Post, and Moses Moody started alongside Butler and Curry, and they combined for only 15 points.

It’s been a so-so season for the Warriors thus far, but they’re still right where they need to be. Even though they are currently eighth in the West, they are within five games of the fourth-seeded Wolves. The Lakers, Suns, and Rockets are all ahead of them by even less.

With the trade deadline just over three weeks away, the Warriors are going to be a team to watch. They were reportedly interested in Mavericks star Anthony Davis. But AD has recently suffered a hand injury, so they may be forced to look elsewhere. With Jonathan Kuminga continuing to ride the bench, it’s exceedingly likely that they’ll try to flip him for someone they feel can help them down the stretch.

Kuminga is eligible to be traded in just three days. Butler spoke highly of him recently, but it seems that even he knows his friend is going to be traded soon.

Butler joined the team at last year’s trade deadline, and he’s been a model citizen since arriving. The way he’s supported Kuminga through this tough period is only further proof of that, as is the way he deflected blame off the bench for this loss, especially when he himself had a great game.

What Curry is doing at age 37 is ridiculous. He’ll turn 38 in March, but he’s clearly still got it. The Warriors need more nights like this from Butler to help him out, and for the bench to contribute as they have recently. Add one or two pieces in the coming weeks, and they can still make some noise.