Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami didn’t go the way he had hoped. Facing the Heat for the first time since they shipped him off to Golden State last month, Butler and the Warriors couldn’t get much going, suffering a brutal 112-86 loss. His five-year stint in Miami, filled with highs, lows, and two trips to the NBA Finals, ended on a rocky note, and the emotions in the building matched the tension.

Heat fans had mixed feelings—cheering him during a tribute video but letting him hear it with boos every time he touched the ball. On the court, Butler struggled to make an impact, finishing with just 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting, along with six rebounds and two assists. It was the kind of night where nothing clicked, making an already emotional matchup even tougher to swallow.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t shy away from admitting it. Erik Spoelstra, on the other hand, confirmed exactly what Kerr speculated about the Heat’s readiness for the moment.

“We played very poorly, but you know, it’s not like we were throwing the ball around the gym,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ 112-86 loss. “We had some shot clock violations because they played great defense. But we didn’t connect the game very well, and they just lit it up.”

Kerr pointed out that Miami was locked in from the jump, thanks to Butler’s return setting the tone. “Spo had him ready to play, as we would expect, given the circumstances,” he noted. “With Jimmy coming back, they were ready, and they knocked everything down early, and we missed everything.”

While the environment wasn’t as electric as some might have expected, Kerr emphasized that Miami’s execution was the real story. “It was typical Miami,” he said. “I think the main part of Jimmy’s return is that the Heat were ready, and Spo had them ready. And, I mean, you shoot 17 for 25 from three, you’re gonna win.”

Spoelstra, for his part, confirmed that the Heat’s preparation had been weeks in the making. “I think we’ve been developing this for six weeks,” Spoelstra said. “You don’t want to become too emotional. It was more laser-focused on the competition and competing at a high level.” He highlighted the balance his team found, saying, “That’s the fine line you always need to try to find in team sports. You don’t want to be totally out of control, and you definitely don’t want to be flatlined where you’re not passionate.”

Kerr credited Miami’s defensive presence, especially with Bam Adebayo anchoring the paint. “They’ve got Bam down there, who’s an all-world defender, and I thought he controlled much of the game,” Kerr said. “But again, early in the game, we had five or six wide-open threes. We were actually getting decent shots.”

The night didn’t go Butler’s way statistically, as he finished with just 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting, but Kerr saw no signs of frustration from him. “I thought Jimmy handled it great,” he said. “He was very poised out there. He never seemed too emotional about it. He was talking to the guys on the bench, trying to talk them through what we were trying to accomplish.”

For the Heat, it was about execution and focus, and Spoelstra made that clear. “I thought we had a really good, inspiring energy and balance tonight,” he said. That energy translated into a dominant performance, confirming Kerr’s belief that Miami was simply better prepared.

The Warriors are at a pivotal point in their playoff chase, missing Stephen Curry as he recovers from a pelvic bruise suffered against the Raptors. With Curry sidelined for Tuesday’s loss against Miami, Golden State needs to adjust.

Is Jimmy Butler enough for the Warriors?

Steve Kerr remains optimistic that Stephen Curry will return Friday against the Pelicans, but until then, the Warriors must find a way to compete without him. Curry suffered a hard fall, landing awkwardly on his tailbone, and while tests showed no structural damage, discomfort during a recent workout led the team to sideline him.

Kerr acknowledged the decision wasn’t planned but necessary after a minor setback. “At the very end of the workout, just one movement that he made just didn’t quite feel right,” he explained. This marks the first time Curry has missed consecutive games this season. With Golden State clinging to the sixth seed and the Clippers just one game behind, every game carries extra weight.

Tuesday’s game against Miami had added significance, as it marked Jimmy Butler’s first return since the trade. Butler has been a key addition, giving the Warriors another offensive weapon. However, without Curry, Kerr is relying on Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield to step up in the backcourt. But they failed miserably.

Golden State’s ability to manage games without Curry will be a major test down the stretch. While Butler has provided a boost, the Warriors need their leader back to keep pace in the playoff race. All eyes are now on Friday’s game, where Curry’s return could give them the push they need.