Ex-Super Bowl Champion Makes Huge Stephen Curry Championship Claim After Jimmy Butler’s ACL Injury

Jimmy Butler's season-ending injury is a huge blow for Stephen Curry's championship aspirations.

Ex-Super Bowl Champion Makes Huge Stephen Curry Championship Claim After Jimmy Butler’s ACL Injury

Chris Canty on Stephen Curry championship chances (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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It seems like everything has fallen apart for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors over the past 24 hours. On Tuesday night, they saw their four game winning streak come to an end after suffering a 145-127 blowout to the Toronto Raptors on the second night of a back-to-back at the Chase Arena. It was their seventh loss at home in 24 games this season.

The loss ended their eight-game home stretch at 6-2. The Warriors are are currently placed at eighth in the Western Conference standings with a 25-20 record. Meanwhile, the Raptors continue to surprise everyone this season as they improved their record to 26-19 and sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

On Monday, the Warriors were dealt with a major blow as their star forward Jimmy Butler suffered an ACL tear which has ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. With Butler ruled out, the Dubs have not just lost a 20-point scorer, but he was also the cornerstone of their defensive system, bringing energy, leadership, and grit to a roster built on experience and adaptability.

Just when it looked like the Warriors were gaining some momentum, this setback is a huge dent on their championship aspirations for the season. While they still have Stephen Curry, who is still performing at a high level, and is currently averaging 27.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists, it is not possible for him to carry this team at this stage of his career.

Former Super Bowl Champion Chris Canty ruled out Curry’s chances of contending for a championship with the Warriors on First Take.

It means they are a play-in team in the short term. And they are probably looking at an early exit from the postseason even if they get into the playoffs. But big picture, it means we’re done seeing Steph Curry contend for championships in a serious way in Golden State.

With two weeks to go for the trade deadline, Dubs nation will expect the Warriors front office to make some moves, hoping to keep the roster competitive this season. Head coach Steve Kerr may have to lean on his younger players, especially Jonathan Kuminga, to fill in the void left by Butler.

The Warriors will not trade Jimmy Butler

Since trading for Butler at the trade deadline of last season, the 36-year-old has elevated the Warriors’ chances for a deep postseason run. While the trio of Curry, Butler and Draymond Green are at the backend of their careers, they did show they are capable of making some noise in the playoffs last season.

Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler (Image credits – New York Times)

Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy was asked whether the club would move Butler after his injury.

I don’t envision that. I’d say what I envisioned for him is kind of give us a boost next year, the same way he did last year he arrived. So, at some point during the season in returning and being the player he’s been. I think he’s got a style of game that can play for a long time.

With Kuminga demanding for a trade few days ago, Kerr had to play him on Tuesday and will now have to reassess the young forward’s future for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign. Kuminga recorded 20 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes against the Raptors.

Steve Kerr is confident in the squad’s depth

Losing an elite two-way player like Butler is not easy to replace. Warriors do have a dynamic player in Kuminga within their roster and Kerr has confirmed that the 23-year-old is in the conversation to be in the rotation now.

Outside of Curry and Butler, no other player in the roster is averaging even 15 points per game, with Brandin Podziemski averaging 12.3 points. With several other young players in the roster, Kerr will need to find his best rotation halfway into the campaign.

In his press conference, Kerr did seem optimistic and said he is confident in the team’s depth, expecting Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton to step into key roles.

I think we have enough to compete. I think Al and Melt have given us a different dynamic, I think a lot of our young players — Quinten, Will Richard — those guys are ready to contribute, they have contributed. We’ve got depth so we can keep this thing going. Obviously we will miss Jimmy. He’s one of the best players in the league, you can’t minimize that, but you play with who you have and I like who we have.

In a heavily stacked Western Conference, the Warriors may struggle to get into the top-six and secure a direct playoff qualification. However, they will be looking to carry the momentum they have built since the turn of the year. They are scheduled to take on the Dallas Mavericks on January 22 at the American Airlines Center.

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