Jimmy Butler figures to be a big storyline in the Western Conference semifinal series between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. Based on a comment from one of the Timberwolves’ broadcasters, the organization is very much looking forward to seeing Butler return to Minnesota.
Butler infamously forced his way out of Minnesota after little more than one season with the team, and has been hugely unpopular with Timberwolves fans since. Adding to the storyline is the fact that, for various reasons, Butler has not played a game in Minnesota since Nov. 24, 2021. That has led Timberwolves fans to accuse Butler of ducking those games.
Timberwolves radio play-by-play voice Alan Horton added some fuel to the fire on Sunday after Butler’s Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets in Game 7 to set up a meeting with the Timberwolves. Horton noted it has been over 1,200 days since Butler played a game at Target Center in Minneapolis — “assuming he plays Tuesday.”
Assuming he plays Tuesday…
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) May 5, 2025
It's been 1,259 days since Jimmy Butler last played a game at Target Center. pic.twitter.com/quz9RXU0GT
Butler did play several games in Minnesota after the trade, but before 2021. Timberwolves fans have never let up on him in those games. They probably will not do so during this upcoming series, either.
Butler is the sort of player who raises his game to another level when it matters most, even if he has downplayed that in the past. Timberwolves fans might want to be careful what they wish for if he rises to the occasion again.
