The Jimmy Butler trade is already paying dividends for the Golden State Warriors, who appear to be rejuvenated with the six-time All-Star in their lineup.
The Warriors look to improve to 3-0 with Butler on the floor when they face the host Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Stephen Curry scored a season-high-tying 38 points and Butler, who was acquired in a trade with the Miami Heat, added 20 to go along with nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals in Golden State’s 125-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
Butler is settling in nicely with Golden State, which had a season-high 16 steals against Milwaukee. After the victory, Butler said he’s still not in game shape following a suspension-filled final month with Miami.
“You got to think, I haven’t played basketball in a month,” Butler said. “My wind is nowhere close to where it needs to be. I can’t wait until I’m back in basketball shape where I’m used to being. I won’t miss free throws as much. I’ll have lift on my jump shots. Right now, I’m just gassed. I’m glad we’re winning. But I got to get in better shape.”
Butler’s arrival has created more opportunities for Curry, who has scored at least 30 points in four straight games. Curry has made a total of 14 3-pointers in the past two games.
“Every possession just doesn’t feel as hard,” Curry said. “You still see attention, you still see defenses, but (opponents) have to worry about something else. I want to be aggressive. Earlier in the year, that aggression didn’t necessarily lead to anything as consistently as it has the last two games.”
Meanwhile, few teams are eyeing the upcoming All-Star break as much as the Mavericks, who could benefit from a few days off.
The Mavericks started their tumultuous month by trading star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Davis exited his first game with the Mavericks on Saturday due to a left adductor strain and is expected to be out for multiple weeks. The nine-time All-Star joins a lengthy injury list with his new team.
Center Daniel Gafford has been added to the list after suffering a sprained right knee in Dallas’ 129-128 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Gafford will be re-evaluated within the next two weeks.
Kyrie Irving scored 30 points in the loss for the Mavericks, who played without P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain) and Caleb Martin (right hip strain).
“The games keep coming,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “No one feels sorry for us. That’s just the way the league is. For us to pout or take our ball and go home, it doesn’t work in this league. You got to fight.”
“This group is fighting. The group in that locker room has character. We’re being tested right now. We have to keep the energy and effort.”
Klay Thompson made five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points in the loss to Sacramento. The Mavericks having a depleted lineup means Thompson could assume a greater workload against his former team on Wednesday.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Christie are also playing a larger role for Dallas, which has dropped four of its past six games.
