The playful banter between Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield lives on after the Golden State Warriors’ thrilling 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 4 at Chase Center on Monday night. Butler, who had already sparked laughter by trolling Hield following the Warriors’ Game 3 win, doubled down on the friendly jabs with his signature humor during the post-game press conference.
“I hate to give Buddy a compliment, so I’m not going to,” Butler quipped with reporters, staying true to his playful nature and sparking laughter from the media. This, of course, was a continuation of their ongoing back-and-forth, which has become one of the most entertaining storylines surrounding the Warriors’ postseason run.
Despite the teasing, there was a twist this time as Butler begrudgingly praised Hield’s performance in the game. “But, No. 7 on our team really brought the defensive mentality tonight, made some big shots and he stinks,” Butler joked, clearly trying to undercut the compliment with his usual humor.
Although Hield wasn’t the team’s top scorer—Butler finished with 27 points—he had an impact on both ends of the floor, posting 15 points and a plus-17 rating in 30 minutes of play. Hield’s solid performance and overall contribution were essential in securing the Game 4 win, but Butler couldn’t resist poking fun at his teammate.
Butler, who had missed Game 3 due to a pelvic contusion, came back strong with a team-high 27 points on 7-of-12 shooting, playing an impressive 40 minutes. However, it was Hield’s relentless defense and timely scoring that made a difference. Butler still couldn’t resist humorously downplaying the significance of Hield’s impact, insisting, “Buddy is the Joker,” when a reporter suggested Hield was akin to Alfred Pennyworth, the loyal butler to Batman.
The dynamic duo of Butler and Hield has become one of the most intriguing pairings in this postseason, though not exactly in the Batman-Robin sense. Instead, Butler prefers to refer to their relationship as one where Hield takes on the role of a villain. “Buddy is the Joker,” Butler added, much to the amusement of those watching. “He’s not Alfred,” Butler firmly insisted, shaking off any suggestion that he’s playing the mentor role.
While Butler and Hield may not fit the classic superhero mold, their bromance is undeniable. The two have developed a chemistry on and off the court that has fans excited about the Warriors’ future, especially as they continue to build momentum heading into the rest of the playoffs.
Despite Butler’s teasing, the Butler-Hield tandem has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Together, they’ve formed a duo that strikes fear into opponents, even if Butler refuses to acknowledge Hield as a sidekick. And while the humor continues to flow between them, it’s clear that their bond, whether as Batman and Joker or any other pair of rivals-turned-partners, runs deep.
As the Warriors continue their playoff journey, fans can expect to see more of Butler’s jokes and Hield’s steady contributions, making their dynamic all the more entertaining to watch. The bromance between Butler and Hield is just as integral to the Warriors’ success as their on-court performances, and it’s a duo fans will continue to enjoy as the playoffs unfold.
