Jimmy Butler stats tonight: How did Warriors star fare vs ex-teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks? (March 15)

Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors hosted Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks on Saturday, with both teams aiming to strengthen their playoff positions in their respective conferences.

The Warriors pulled out a hard-fought victory, edging out a shorthanded Knicks squad missing All-Star guard Jalen Brunson in a 97-94 win, marking their seventh straight. Steph Curry led the charge with 28 points, while Moses Moody provided a spark with 18.

For New York, Towns led the way with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby contributed 23 points and nine boards. Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride each chipped in 19.

The matchup marked Butler’s first game as a Warrior against Towns, his former teammate from their days with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The game began as a tightly contested battle, with Butler scoreless for the first 11 minutes. However, he erupted in the final minute, scoring five points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to help the Warriors close the first quarter with a 32-21 lead.

The second quarter remained competitive, but Butler set the tone for the Warriors, contributing to their first seven points with two free throws and two assists.

After a brief rest, he checked back in with four minutes left, assisting on a Steph Curry 3-pointer before adding a dunk just before halftime. Curry capped the half with another triple, giving the Warriors a 54-50 edge heading into the break.

The back-and-forth action continued in the second half, with neither team able to gain full control. However, with the game knotted at 88 apiece and three minutes remaining, the Warriors went on a decisive 8-1 run, powered by Curry, to build a 96-89 lead with just 15 seconds left.

While Jimmy Butler finished with just 11 points on 11 shots, his impact extended beyond scoring. He stuffed the stat sheet with seven assists and six rebounds, finishing with a plus-10 rating in 32 minutes and 40 seconds of action. Below are his full stats from the game.

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Jimmy Butler III	32:40	11	6	7	3	11	27.3	1	2	50.0	4	4	100	3	3	1	0	1	2	10

Steve Kerr is a believer in Jimmy Butler's 'Playoff Jimmy' persona

Last Saturday, the Warriors battled the Detroit Pistons, where Butler dropped 26 points in yet another impressive outing since joining Golden State from the Miami Heat.

Following the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Butler’s intensity and leadership, emphasizing the reality of "Playoff Jimmy."

"Playoff Jimmy is a real thing," Kerr said (per Bleacher Report). "In some ways that felt like a playoff game... the physicality, and kind of a rock fight, frankly. Guys like Jimmy really thrive in these type of games."

Kerr previously compared Butler’s impact on the Warriors to that of Andre Iguodala, the former NBA Finals MVP.

“He’s a great complement to what already do…What he’s adding is that maturity and poise. We’ve made that Andre comparison. He’s not the exact same player as Andre Igoudala, but he has the same influence. He’s constantly reading what’s happening and calming us down and creating good possessions at both ends.”

In his first 14 games with the Warriors, Jimmy Butler has been a steady force, averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds.