Jimmy Butler is nothing if not entertaining.
The Golden State Warriors star Butler went viral during Saturday’s Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. During the fourth quarter of the second-round playoff contest at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., Butler was defending Minnesota big man Naz Reid in the high post and managed to knock the ball away. But a beat later, referee Scott Foster blew his whistle to call a reach-in foul.
Butler absolutely could not believe the call, and his eyes became as wide as saucers in pure incredulity. He then quickly calmed down and wagged his finger at Foster before going back about his business. Take a look at the hilarious video.
Just like that, a generational new meme template was born. Users on X quickly got busy laughing about Butler’s reaction and also turning the clip into a versatile, ready-to-use meme format.
The six-time NBA All-Star Butler stepped up in the injury absence of Steph Curry, finishing with 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. But he also missed a few key looks from close range down the stretch, and the Warriors ended up losing to the Timberwolves by a 102-97 final score.
Even at 35 years old, Butler continues to be elite meme fodder and sometimes even goes out of his way to make sure that he has viral moments. Butler would have preferred though for his meme moment in Game 3 to have come in a victory, and the Warriors will head into Monday’s Game 4 now trailing in the series 2-1.
