On March 25, 2025, the Miami Heat dominated a show, beating the Golden State Warriors 112-86 at Kaseya Center. The game was the first time that former Heat star Jimmy Butler, now a member of the Warriors, had been in Miami since his midseason trade.
Game Overview
The Heat controlled at the start, taking the first quarter 28-22 and extending their lead to 57-40 at halftime. They continued to dominate throughout the game, which resulted in a dominant 26-point win. The victory took Miami’s record to 31-41 and dropped Golden State to 41-31.
Key Performances
- Bam Adebayo (Heat): Scored a team-high 27 points and rebounded eight times, displaying his offense and defensive play.
- Tyler Herro (Heat): Notched 20 points and seven assists, showing his shooting chops from the arc by hitting 5 of his 5 three-point attempts.
- Alec Burks (Heat): Scored 18 points, making a strong contribution off the bench.
- Kel’el Ware (Heat): Young big man recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, including a highlight-reel reverse layup in the third quarter.
- Jimmy Butler (Warriors): Butler performed no better during his return trip to Miami with 11 points on 5-of-12 from the floor and six boards plus two dimes.
Team Statistics
The Heat had great shooting percentages, making 55.8% of their field goals and a phenomenal 68% (17-of-25) of their three-pointers. The Warriors made 39.8% of their field goals and 23.7% (9-of-38) of their three-pointers. Miami also outrebounded Golden State 42-38 and led for most of the game.
Butler’s Return to Miami
Jimmy Butler’s return was greeted with a divisive reaction. The Heat celebrated him with a video commemorating his achievements while he was in Miami, and it contained some of the moments from the 2020 NBA Finals. Some people cheered, but Butler was booed whenever he handled the ball during the game. His outing was subdued, and he did not interact with former teammates or coaches post-game.
Impact of Stephen Curry’s Absence
The Warriors went missing their star guard, Stephen Curry, who was out with a pelvic contusion. He was missed badly by Golden State in its offense flow and spacing on the floor, which led to a season-low road scoring performance.
Postgame Reactions
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recognized the Heat’s readiness and ferocity and said, “The biggest aspect of Jimmy’s return is that the Heat were ready and [Coach Spoelstra] had them ready. It was how hard they competed and took it to us tonight.
Butler looked back at his stint in Miami, where he appreciated the experiences that formed his career. But he reiterated his concentration on the present with Golden State, saying, “I’m here as a Golden State Warrior, and I’ve got a job to do.
The Warriors, who have a 41-31 record, are still sixth in the Western Conference standings, half a game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers. They will look to bounce back in their next game against the New Orleans Pelicans this Friday. The Heat, who have moved to 31-41, continue to chase a play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference.
