The Golden State Warriors are looking to keep the good vibes rolling Monday night when they host the Miami Heat - and there’s no shortage of intrigue heading into this one. Most notably, Jimmy Butler is set to face off against his former team for just the second time since last February’s headline-grabbing trade sent him west.
This matchup kicks off a back-to-back for the Warriors, who will turn around and take on the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. With that in mind, Golden State is already making strategic decisions about its rotation - particularly when it comes to managing minutes for key veterans De'Anthony Melton and Al Horford.
Melton’s Momentum Hits Pause - For Now
De'Anthony Melton has been on a tear lately. The 27-year-old guard has broken his season-high in scoring in three of his last six outings, including a standout performance in Saturday’s 136-116 win where he dropped 24 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out three assists - all in under 22 minutes. That’s the kind of production that makes you take notice.
But don’t expect to see him suit up Monday night. The Warriors are opting to rest Melton in the first leg of the back-to-back, keeping him on a cautious minutes plan following his return from a long-term knee injury. That approach isn’t new - and it may be the norm for him the rest of the season, especially when games come in quick succession.
Horford In for Monday, Out for Tuesday?
Al Horford’s situation is a little more predictable. Since joining Golden State in free agency, the 39-year-old has been on a tightly managed load schedule.
He will be available against the Heat on Monday, but it’s a calculated move. With Toronto’s smaller lineup on deck Tuesday, the Warriors are likely thinking they’ll need Horford’s size and experience more against Miami’s physical frontcourt than they will 24 hours later.
Butler Cleared for Takeoff Against Former Team
The Warriors got some good news on the injury front: Jimmy Butler is not listed on the injury report after missing Saturday’s game due to personal reasons. That sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown - Butler’s first game against Miami since his messy departure, which included contract disputes and a swift exit that ended with a two-year max extension from Golden State.
Butler will no doubt be motivated to make a statement. The last time he returned to Miami, things didn’t go so well.
The Heat rolled to a 112-86 win back in March, with the Warriors missing Stephen Curry. In their November rematch, both Curry and Butler sat out, and Golden State again came up short, falling 110-96.
This time, both stars are expected to be in the lineup - and that could change the tone entirely.
Draymond Trending Up, Seth Curry Sidelined
Seth Curry is the only confirmed out for Golden State on Monday, while Draymond Green is listed as probable with a sprained ankle. Green is coming off one of his best offensive showings of the season, scoring 20 points and hitting four of his eight attempts from deep. He took full advantage of Charlotte’s defensive game plan, which was heavily focused on slowing down Steph Curry - and made them pay for it.
That version of Draymond - confident, aggressive, and opportunistic - is a major X-factor for a Warriors team that’s still trying to find its rhythm in a crowded Western Conference.
Heat Missing Herro, But Depth Remains
As for the Heat, they’ll be without Tyler Herro, who’s dealing with a rib contusion. That’s a significant blow to Miami’s offense, but they’re not completely shorthanded.
Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are both listed as probable. The Heat enter the night at 22-20, sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference - a team still trying to find consistency but capable of beating anyone on any given night.
What to Watch
This one has all the ingredients for a compelling midseason clash: a star returning to face his old squad, playoff positioning on the line, and two teams trying to manage health while staying competitive. For Golden State, the key will be balancing rest with rhythm. For Miami, it’s about finding offense without Herro and trying to slow down a Warriors team that’s starting to click.
Tip-off can’t come soon enough.