Jimmy Butler came to Golden State to chase championships, not watch opponents score at will. But after a third consecutive loss on Friday night, the honeymoon phase seems to be fading. When the defense collapsed against the Portland Trail Blazers, giving up 127 points in NBA Cup play, Butler didn’t retreat to the locker room quietly.
Instead, he did exactly what he has done in Chicago, Minnesota, and Miami: he told the brutal truth.
Why Is Jimmy Butler Calling Out the Defense?
Butler has never been the type to stay silent when he sees effort lacking. Fans remember the locker room friction during his time with the Chicago Bulls and that legendary practice with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he led bench players to a win over the starters. After burning bridges in Miami before his trade to Golden State, he is back to making headlines in his first full season with the Warriors.
Following the loss to Portland, Butler made his feelings clear in a media scrum. “We just not guarding nobody,” said Butler. “From what I can tell — I haven’t been here long — but that’s never been the formula here.”
“You got to take each and every match up personal.”
Jimmy Butler in the locker room after the loss. pic.twitter.com/Qp2rWEMsek
— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) November 22, 2025
He continued to say, “You’re not taking anything away. You’re not taking the paint away. You’re not taking away layups, free throws, lobs, threes. So we don’t know where they’re going to get a shot from. But tonight, they was getting whatever shot they wanted.”
How Did the Warriors Waste Stephen Curry’s Big Night?
Some might criticize Butler’s delivery, but it is hard to argue with his assessment. The lack of defensive intensity defined the game, allowing the Trail Blazers to control the fourth quarter. This defensive collapse wasted a stellar offensive showing from Stephen Curry, who led the way with 38 points on 9-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc.
The box score suggests the Warriors should have won. As a team, they dished out 30 assists and shot 40% from beyond the arc. Typically, those numbers lead to victory, but they couldn’t overcome the issues Butler highlighted. Portland wing Deni Avdija sliced up the defense to create whatever he wanted, finishing with 26 points and 14 assists. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Caleb Love dropped a career-high 26 points on six made threes.
Despite the harsh words, Butler offered a dose of optimism before leaving the arena. His comments weren’t meant to fracture the locker room, but rather to serve as a wake-up call for a team that needs to find its edge.