The Golden State Warriors are set to begin their 2025–26 season on Tuesday night, taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in a marquee opening-night matchup.
It’s a clash between two teams that made significant offseason moves. The Lakers retooled around Luka Dončić with the additions of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. The Warriors added veteran Al Horford and guard De’Anthony Melton.
But no storyline matters more for Golden State than the health of Jimmy Butler.
Is Jimmy Butler Playing vs. Lakers?
Butler missed the Warriors’ final three preseason games — one due to personal reasons and two with an ankle injury. That had fans wondering if he’d be ready for opening night.
Thankfully, the news is positive. Butler was upgraded to probable for Tuesday’s game after returning to practice this week. Head coach Steve Kerr said he expects Butler to be available against the Lakers.
The 36-year-old forward’s presence will be crucial for a Warriors team that looked completely different once he arrived last season. Golden State went 22–5 in games where Butler and Stephen Curry shared the floor.
Why Butler Matters for the Warriors
GettyJimmy Butler is entering his first full season with the Golden State Warriors.
Since joining the Warriors, Butler has averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. His impact goes beyond the box score — he brings toughness, leadership, and defensive intensity the roster had been missing.
Against a Lakers team led by Dončić, Butler’s defense and ability to set the tone on both ends will be essential. Without him, Golden State would have been severely short-handed on the wing.
Fortunately, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.
The Bigger Picture
As the lights come on in Los Angeles, the Warriors will look to remind everyone who they are. The dynasty might be older, the roster different, but the heartbeat remains the same — Curry leading, and Butler adding a fire that fits perfectly beside him.
Butler’s return is more than a lineup boost; it’s a pulse. The kind that brings life back into a team that knows how fleeting these chances can be. The Warriors have been here before — older now, maybe wiser — but still driven by the same quiet hunger.
Opening night isn’t just another game. It’s the first step toward proving there’s still magic left in the Dubs’ dynasty.
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