Miami Heat Dominate Golden State Warriors 112-86 in Jimmy Butler's Return to Miami

Sports Correspondent

MIAMI, March 25, 2025 — In a highly anticipated matchup, the Miami Heat delivered a commanding 112-86 victory over the Golden State Warriors at the Kaseya Center. This game marked Jimmy Butler’s first appearance in Miami since his trade to Golden State last month.

Game Highlights

The Heat established control early, leading 28-17 at the end of the first quarter and extending their advantage to 54-39 by halftime. Miami’s defense effectively stifled the Warriors’ offense, which struggled notably in the absence of star guard Stephen Curry, sidelined due to a pelvic contusion.

Bam Adebayo led the Heat with an impressive 27 points and eight rebounds, while Tyler Herro contributed 20 points and seven assists. Alec Burks added 18 points off the bench, and rookie Kel’el Ware recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga topped the scoring with 15 points. Jimmy Butler, in his return to Miami, was limited to 11 points and faced a mixed reception from the crowd, including boos during introductions and when he handled the ball.

Butler’s Return and Reception

Butler’s return was met with a tribute video from the Heat organization, acknowledging his contributions during his tenure in Miami. Despite this gesture, the crowd’s response was predominantly negative, reflecting the contentious nature of his departure.

Pre-game, Butler expressed indifference towards reconnecting with former team executives, stating he had “nothing to say” to Heat president Pat Riley. Post-game, Butler exited the court without acknowledging former teammates, contrasting with Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr, who engaged with Heat players and staff.

Statistical Overview