4 in a row for the Warriors who are losing Jimmy Butler

For the great return of Andrew Wiggins (18 points, 5 rebounds) to Golden State, for the first time since his transfer to Miami In February 2025, the ex-Warrior shows himself to his advantage. Scored 11 of the first 26 points Heat to put his team at +7 (26-19). Without Draymond Green or DeAnthony Melton, Jimmy Butler (17 points) matches his former teammates. He scored 13 points in the first quarter, and Moses Moody’s three-pointer (13 points) gave the Warriors the lead (36-34).

Moody continues his momentum and with the help of Brandin Podziemski (24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Golden State consolidates its lead (52-47). Miami then switches to a 1-3-1 zone defense to disrupt their opponent’s offensive rhythm. Jaime Jaquez, Pelle Larsson and the inevitable Andrew Wiggins allow the Heat to get back on track. Three-pointers from Stephen Curry (19 points, 11 assists) and Quinten Post (15 points) added another layer just before halftime, but the skill of Norman Powell (21 points) kept Miami in check (70-66).

Jimmy Butler is injured

The pace of the match does not drop after returning from the locker room, but both teams seem clumsy. With Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins still battling each other, the Chase Center is silenced when Butler twists his right knee in the racket and remains on the ground for several minutes. That’s why the winger leaves his teammates, and his unavailability paradoxically awakens the collective. In the wake of Stephen Curry’s ever-present scoring and creation, Golden State goes 15-2 on Miami to make a hole (92-77)!

Jimmy Butler left the Warriors game with an apparent knee injury

I hope he is well pic.twitter.com/z5zKzogIIs

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 20, 2026

In heavy, the heat is kept. Stephen Curry’s fourth foul and two winning shots by Simone Fontecchio (13 points) quickly stopped the bleeding (98-90). Without their two playmakers, the Warriors are not backing down. With Brandin Podziemski and Pete Spencer at the helm, Buddy Hield (16 points) and Al Horford (10 points, 8 rebounds) scored three winning shots to bring the deficit back above ten points (104-93).

Horford, Hield and Podziemski take control

However, Stephen Curry’s fifth foul and Simone Fontecchio’s cheeky address revived this end of the match (112-103). Steve Kerr then throws Al Horford to stabilize his defense. The veteran is present on both sides of the court, and Buddy Hield follows him with five points in a row, providing a big breath of fresh air to the Warriors (119-103).

Kerr then puts the ball into the hands of Brandin Podziemski. With the pick-and-roll, the guard hits Fonteki and Pele Larsson and scores eight points in a row and concludes 15-0 for Golden State (127-103)! This is the first time this season that the Warriors have won four straight.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Jimmy Butler’s right knee is giving out. Although he clearly wanted to do well against his former team, Jimmy Butler’s matchup ended too soon. With just under eight minutes left in the third quarter, the Warriors star took a bad landing after diving to catch a pass from Brandin Podziemski. He immediately grabbed his knee. Butler stayed on the ground for five minutes before heading to the locker room without putting weight on his right leg. He tore a meniscus in the same knee in 2018 and sprained his cruciate ligaments in 2024. The Warriors fear the worst.

Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield and Al Horford decisive. Three players scored 50 points off the bench in a match where Golden State was without Draymond Green and DeAnthony Melton, but also Jimmy Butler for almost the entire second half, and Stephen Curry at the start of the last quarter. As the Heat clawed their way back to -9, it was the trio that one-by-one stopped Miami’s containment effort.

A standing ovation for Andrew Wiggins. For his first game in Golden State since being traded last February, Andrew Wiggins received a warm welcome from his former team and his former fans. The Whigs were treated to a video and a standing ovation from the Chase Center. The former Warrior got off to a great start, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the first quarter.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=5lucGd8bizo

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.