Jimmy Butler tore his ACL on January 19, 2026 during a Warriors-Heat game, forcing the 36-year-old guard and his team to confront a sudden injury and its ripple effects.
At a Glance
- Jimmy Butler – 36-year-old guard, Golden State Warriors
- Injury – ACL tear in the third quarter vs Miami Heat
- Immediate reaction – Concern over arcade trip with daughter Rylee (6) and son Brayan (3)
- Next step – Surgery scheduled for an unspecified date
Jimmy Butler was on the court with the Warriors in San Francisco when the injury occurred. Toward the end of the third quarter, he chased a pass, fell, and twisted his right knee, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament. He stayed on the floor in pain, holding his knee, and remained on the court for a couple of minutes before being assisted to his feet and taken to the locker room. ESPN reported that he was helped off the court and that the Warriors would announce a surgery date the following day.
The Game and the Injury
The Warriors faced the Miami Heat on a Monday night. Butler’s fall happened in the final minutes of the third quarter, a moment that would change his schedule and his season. He was the focal point of the Warriors’ offense, and his absence would leave a gap that the team would have to fill. The injury was confirmed by team officials and announced on the Warriors’ social media accounts.
Locker Room Realization
Inside the locker room, Butler’s thoughts turned to his children. Draymond Green, the Warriors’ forward, shared the moment on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, on Thursday, January 22. He recounted how Butler repeatedly said:
- “First thing he said, sitting in that locker room was, ‘Man, I’m supposed to take my kids to the arcade in the morning,'” Green, 35, said.
- “He said it four different times: ‘I’m not going to be able to take my kids to the arcade in the morning,'” Green recalled.
- “Man, I’m supposed to take my kids to the arcade.” That’s all he kept saying.
Green described Butler as being in a state of delirium, completely delirious, and expressed how hard it must have been for him to keep repeating the same thought. The incident highlighted the personal stakes behind a professional injury.
Family First: Butler’s Kids
Butler shares daughter Rylee, who is 6, and son Brayan, who is 3, with his girlfriend Kaitlin Nowak. The family is central to his life, and he has spoken publicly about how they motivate him. In a heartfelt interview with ABC News in June 2023, Butler said, “Like everything I do now, I want to make it home to them. I want to make sure they’re safe.”
In a 2023 interview with Bleacher Report, he added, “I’m gonna play with my daughter, man. I love her to death, I miss her- I’ve been away for a very long time.” He also mentioned future plans: “We’re going to get ice cream, we’re going to the park, we’re doing a lot of different stuff.”
Past Statements on Parenthood
Butler’s devotion to his children is not new. He has consistently framed his career as a means to provide for them. In 2023, he highlighted that his children are his “why,” the driving force behind everything he does. This perspective has resonated with fans and teammates alike.
The injury has forced Butler to confront the reality that his recovery will delay the moments he cherishes. The arcade trip that had been on his calendar for the morning of the next day became a symbolic reminder of what the injury will postpone.
Next Steps
The Warriors have confirmed that Butler will undergo surgery at a date to be determined. The team’s medical staff will assess the extent of the damage and outline a rehabilitation timeline. While the exact schedule is pending, the expectation is that Butler will miss a significant portion of the upcoming season.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 19, 2026 | ACL tear during Warriors-Heat game |
| January 19, 2026 | Butler taken to locker room, announced injury |
| January 20, 2026 | Warriors announce surgery date TBD |
| January 22, 2026 | Draymond Green discusses Butler’s arcade concern on podcast |
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear disrupted his season and personal plans.
- Family motivation remains a core part of his identity.
- Recovery timeline is pending, but surgery is imminent.
- Team and media are closely following his progress.
The Warriors and fans alike will be watching to see how Butler navigates the recovery process and returns to the court. The injury underscores the fragility of an athlete’s body and the human stories that unfold behind headlines.
