The Golden State Warriors opened their 2016 NBA Playoffs campaign in style with an impressive Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets. Undoubtedly, Jimmy Butler’s historic performance helped propel them to the victory. In a tightly contested game one, Butler put on a show, dropping 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting from the floor. His five threes helped the Warriors crush opponents by a large margin. As the game unfolded at the Chase Center on Saturday night, Butler’s poise and expertise would prove crucial.
Butler’s gaudy numbers didn’t stop just with his scoring output. He was really useful as a helper with seven rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. It was an amazing all-around performance in his playoff debut. His 25 points and 5 steals made him the first player in franchise history to do this since the NBA started tracking steals in the 1973-74 season.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Butler’s impact on the game, stating, “He has that impact every game. He calms things down. He’s very confident, he’s very poised. He always believes we’re going to win.” This was a sentiment echoed by Draymond Green, pointing to Butler’s poise in making everything all right when the seas became turbulent.
So Butler’s overall presence on the court has already been a game-changer for the Warriors since getting his feet wet back in February. Since his hire, his program has produced a staggering 25-8 mark. They now boast the highest-ranked overall defense in the league. His ability to take control of the game was evident as he hit a crucial 19-foot stepback jumper over Alperen Sengun with just over a minute left on the clock, solidifying the Warriors’ lead.
“Jimmy is, he’s one of the best players in the league, and that’s what the best players in the league do,” Kerr added. “It’s not just about scoring or stats. It’s about settling the game down, having the presence and the nature to compete and win games like this.”
As the game unfolded, Butler showcased his knack for big moments, contributing six points in the final 1:43 of play to put the Rockets away definitively. Even Stephen Curry, who was subject to the most extreme pressure of the night from Houston, praised Butler for opening up looks for him and others.
“Just a continuation of what it’s been like since he’s been on our team from February,” Curry said. “He has a knack for big moments … you have a guy that can create a lot of looks and defensively as well.”
With that performance, Butler not only showcased his scoring prowess but made history. He tied Allen Iverson for the third most playoff games with at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. This 15-3 postseason statistic only underlines what a dominant and versatile player he was during high-leverage playoff matchups.
Butler acknowledged the challenge posed by the Rockets, stating, “They’re an incredible team. Definitely a physical one. I would like to think that we don’t back down from any challenge anyways and we met brute force with brute force.” His confident swagger radiated as he coached his crew. He was unfazed by the pressure in what was an incredibly physical game.
The Warriors have stolen a game and have all the momentum on their side. They’d love nothing more than to ride that momentum as they advance deeper into the playoffs. Butler’s contributions will be especially important as they hope to achieve success against strong competition. His knack for keeping a cool head and getting things done in a crisis will of course be put to the test in the months ahead.
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