Georges Niang offers amusing analogy for Jimmy Butler, Heat after Warriors' win

Georges Niang offers amusing analogy for Jimmy Butler, Heat after Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Beating your former team always feels good, even when you’re not on the court.

The Warriors stretched their winning streak to six with a 120-100 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Chase Center but a rehabbing wing Jimmy Butler had the most fun on the bench.

After the win, Warriors forward Georges Niang explained why he recognized Butler’s energy against his old squad.

“I can’t even count the number of teams that I have a spot that wants to stick it to them, so I can understand why Jimmy feels the way that he does,” Niang said. “He hasn’t really voiced it. Jimmy is probably listening to country music in the weight room right now, screaming. But yeah, I get it. It’s like a relationship that ends and do you want to see your ex do better than when she was with you? Not really. I don’t think anybody else does.”

The Warriors star posted a humorous AI-generated video on Instagram after the game, depicting Steph Curry and former Warrior Klay Thompson in the 1999 movie Blue Streak.

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Butler signed with the Heat prior to the 2019-20 season and spent five seasons with the organization before being traded to Golden State during the 2024-25 season in exchange for a package involving Andrew Wiggins.

In his Miami tenure, Butler earned three All-NBA selections and led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023.

Butler’s presence on the Warriors has been similarly impactful. Golden State was below .500 when they initially traded for Butler but won over 67 percent of the games he played in over the past two seasons.

The six-time All-Star is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in January and is expected to return around the All-Star break.

Despite not being on the court, Butler has made an effort to stay connected with his teammates and provide his support, even hosting a players-only event in San Diego before the season.

“You talk about someone that doesn’t have to be as giving as he is, but I texted him the other day, and I was like, ‘Hey, how’s rehab going? Just checking on you,’ ” Niang said. “And he was like, ‘It’s great, you know. Keep playing well. Is there anything I can do for you?’ And I looked at my phone, and I was like, ‘Am I reading this right?’ Like Jimmy Butler’s asking, ‘Is there anything he can do for me?’

“You talk about selfless people, and he’s been completely selfless and giving, even when he’s not a part of it, going through the toughest time of his playing career tearing his ACL. He’s been phenomenal and great to be around.”

Golden State appears to have found its groove after a slow start, but its entire outlook will change once Butler returns to the court.

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