Minnesota Timberwolves fans made their feelings about Jimmy Butler adamantly clear as hosts of Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors.
Every time Butler touched the ball, boos rained down on the Warriors star who had made his return to the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., for the first time since 2021.
Butler did not take issue with the boos.
In fact, Butler embraced them, but drew a line of what is tolerable as a player.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
© Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Following an 99-88 Golden State victory on Tuesday, May 6, Butler, alongside his teammate, Buddy Hield, was asked about the boos he heard from fans — a likely product of some hard feelings about Butler\’s abrupt and messy departure from the Timberwolves seven years ago and his subsequent comments about the franchise.
“It doesn\’t bother me, but people do have to watch your mouth,” Butler said. “It\’s cool with the boos, but calling people out their name, which I can hear-”
Hield: “What they say?”
“You want me to repeat it? It\’s not good,” Butler replied. “That\’s unnecessary. the boos, I understand, let\’s just keep it there.”
“Yeah, watch your mouth,” Hield deadpanned.
“Thanks, lil bro,” Butler replied as the two chuckled.
Butler and Hield were the two stars of Golden State\’s victory after Stephen Curry exited the game in the first half with a hamstring strain. Hield posted a game-high 24 points, while Butler nearly posted a triple-double, tallying 20 points, 11 rebounds (five offensive) and eight assists.
It was a performance from Butler reminiscent of a turbulent day almost seven years ago when Butler, who had already requested a trade in the summer of 2018, showed up to Wolves training camp and challenged the starters to a scrimmage with a cast of backups.
Butler beat the Timberwolves starters before exiting the building. He played just 10 more games for the team before he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers that November.
The 35-year-old star has had a reputation for messy endings with his teams, and although he appears to have matured and is unfazed by any history with the Timberwolves, he is just months removed from a contentious exit with the Miami Heat.