Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield show their budding bromance after beating Timberwolves

Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield led the Golden State Warriors to a crucial road win after injury to Stephen Curry.

Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield show their budding bromance after beating Timberwolves

Jimmy Butler

The Golden State Warriors overcame adversity led by Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler in game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After Stephen Curry came off with a hamstring strain, the duo helped the Warriors take a memorable road win. The two of them were also partly responsible for holding Anthony Edwards to a first half with only 1 point.

The Warriors held the Wolves to their second-lowest total of the 2024-25 season. It was also only Minnesota’s second score of 90 or below this year – both have come during the playoffs. Keeping Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle quiet was a large part of the challenge that the team rose to on the defensive end. However, the Wolves also had themselves to blame for their putrid shooting from all over the floor.

Butler and Buddy Hield were in buoyant spirits during the post-game press conference. Hield led all scorers with 24 points on the night, while adding 8 rebounds of his own. Butler had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. His return to Target Center was acrimonious, as expected. He remarked, “That doesn’t bother me, but people do have to watch their mouth…The boos, I get it, I understand let’s just keep it at that.”

Hield, who was seated beside Butler during the media availability, smirked and echoed his sentiment. Butler showed his pleasure at Hield backing him up.

The interviews started with yet another show of brotherly banter between the new teammates. Hield labeled himself the Batman of the team after notching up the game-high figure of 24 points in response to a question anointing Butler as the Batman in Curry’s absence. In response, Butler tried to remind Hield of his place on the Warriors’ offensive pecking order in normal circumstances.

I’m still Robin, Steph is still Batman and ‘Buddard’ is still who he is. But he had another good game, man. Except for that stupid thing you did at the beginning of the game, when you didn’t have the right wardrobe. This is not real Robin, and/or Batman-like.

Jimmy Butler commented about Buddy Hield coming out wearing the wrong shorts ahead of the game

Butler has often been labeled as a disrupter of locker room chemistry. But it’s clear that the Warriors are currently in the honeymoon period of his behavior alongside teammates.

Buddy Hield will have to be the Robin to Jimmy Butler

The Warriors have found unexpected contributions from Buddy Hield in the last two outings. The Bahamian poured in 33 points against the Houston Rockets in game 7. He has now followed up with 24 points at Target Center. Those who have followed his career trajectory have had the inside track on Hield’s ascension. The shooting guard is second only to Curry in 3-point makes over the past 7 seasons.

With Steve Kerr’s motion offense principles generating consistently open looks and off-ball scenarios, Hield is able to find his rhythm and make defenses pay. However, he will also be wary of adjustments made by Chris Finch, who has a plethora of defensive options at his disposal. Jaden McDaniels will likely guard Jimmy Butler as his primary defender, sharing responsibilities with Edwards and Randle.

Butler stuffed the stat sheet in game 1, but the former Miami Heat star will likely have to bear a bigger scoring burden in the games to come. Draymond Green won’t always be productive from behind the 3-point line. Hield is likely to have a few off games. There is nobody else on the roster capable of consistently creating off-the-dribble offense. So it will have to be Jimmy Buckets taking the reins head-on.

Also Read: