Before the Warriors flew back to San Francisco after their March 6 win over the Nets, Butler made a last-minute call. Instead of heading straight to the Bay, he pulled Steve Kerr aside to let him know he’d be making a stop in Miami first. “I pulled Steve aside and said, ‘Steve, I’m finna fly home and grab my kids,’” Butler told The Athletic. “He said, ‘Oh, OK. Yeah. See you back in the Bay.’ Like nothing else. Nothing.”

Butler had already decided, and the team’s opinion wasn’t going to change that. But if there was any coach who wouldn’t bat an eye at a move like this, it was Kerr. And on his return to Miami as a Warrior, Jimmy Butler made it clear once again—his time in the city was about one thing: family.

After nearly a week in town, Butler spoke about how he spent his days, making the most of his rare opportunity to be with his children. “I’ll stay with my kids. I don’t get the opportunity to see them as often as I want to, being on the other side of the United States,” he shared. “So I’m by the pool, playing dominoes, loving on my kids.”

While the 6x All-Star also made a few visits to his coffee store, Big Face, that wasn’t his priority. “Yeah, I’ll stop by there a couple times,” he said, “but more than anything, enjoying the weather a little bit. And, like I said, being around my babies.”

For Butler, Miami may no longer be home on paper, but it’s still where his heart is. However, when it came to the Heat’s dominant performance, he wasn’t about to overthink it. From the opening tip, Golden State found itself playing catch-up and never got within striking distance. Miami controlled the game from start to finish, handing the Warriors a crushing 112-86 defeat.

Dismissing the idea that his return sparked extra motivation for Miami, Butler kept it simple. “Nah, they made some shots, played some incredible basketball,” he said. “It’s gonna be hard if we don’t guard anybody, though. We don’t guard anybody when stagnant offense would be okay.” Rather than dwelling on the loss, he was ready to move on. “That’s what’s up. Put it behind us, go eat some food, and enjoy the sunshine tomorrow.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra echoed a similar sentiment, shutting down any notion that emotions dictated the game. “I did not feel like we were too hyped up at all,” he explained. Instead, he credited his team’s composure and focus. “It was more laser-focused on the competition and competing at a high level.”

For Miami, this wasn’t about making a statement—it was about execution. “That’s the fine line you always need to try to find in team sports,” Spoelstra added. “You gotta toe the line of intense competition. You don’t want to be totally out of control, and you definitely don’t want to be flatlined where you’re not passionate.”

Both Butler and Spoelstra agreed—this wasn’t some revenge-fueled showdown. The Heat simply played with purpose, and Golden State couldn’t keep up.

That didn’t take away from the significance of the moment, though.

Coach Spoelstra only has praise for Jimmy Butler

For more than five seasons, Jimmy Butler was the heartbeat of the Miami Heat. He led them to two NBA Finals, built a reputation for his relentless work ethic, and left an undeniable impact. His trade to Golden State this season stirred up emotions, but when he returned to Kaseya Center, it was less about nostalgia and more about closing a chapter.

Facing the Heat as an opponent for the first time, Butler stepped onto a court where he had given everything. Head coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged the highs and lows of Butler’s tenure but focused on the legacy he left behind.

Miami’s 2020 Finals run inside the NBA bubble was one of Butler’s defining moments, a time when he elevated his game and carried the franchise on his back. Spoelstra spoke highly of that era, emphasizing Butler’s impact. “We saw how he raised his game—his IQ, his feel for the moment, his competitive spirit,” Spoelstra said. “When you step back years from now, you’ll see this as a major chapter. In today’s NBA, five and a half years is like a decade.”

For Spoelstra, one of the most memorable moments remains a photo from that Finals run, capturing their journey together. But he dismissed any lingering tension, saying that had already been settled. This game wasn’t about the past—it was about two teams moving forward.

With Miami clinging to the 10th seed and the Warriors fighting for playoff positioning, both teams had bigger concerns. But one thing was clear—Butler’s time in Miami won’t be forgotten.