Age is just a number-unless you're Jimmy Butler, in which case it's also a punchline.
After the Warriors' 126-113 win over the Knicks on Thursday night at Chase Center, Butler found himself at the center of a viral postgame moment. When a reporter brought up the inevitable topic of aging athletes, Butler didn’t miss a beat.
“I’m not old, first of all,” he shot back, drawing laughter from the room. When the reporter clarified, “You’re not old, but you’re older than when you came into the league,” Butler doubled down: “Yeah, no sh*t. You’re older than you were yesterday.”
Classic Jimmy-sharp, unfiltered, and completely in control of the moment. And while the clip made the rounds online for its comedic timing, it also reminded everyone that Butler, now 36, isn’t just talking the talk-he’s still walking the walk.
Butler poured in 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win, leading a Warriors squad that found its rhythm after a sluggish start. Golden State leaned into its signature ball movement, wore down the Knicks, and closed the second half with the kind of poise that’s been missing in stretches this season.
But it wasn’t just Butler’s scoring that stood out-it was his leadership. Postgame, he made a point to highlight Moses Moody’s floor spacing, crediting the young guard for creating the kind of offensive flow that allowed the team to thrive. That’s the kind of veteran presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score but makes a real difference in the locker room.
Butler also spoke about the team’s growth through adversity, emphasizing that wins-not words-are the true markers of progress. That mindset has clearly taken root.
The Warriors improved to 23-19 with the victory, keeping themselves firmly in the Western Conference playoff mix. Meanwhile, the Knicks dropped to 25-16 despite solid showings from OG Anunoby and Miles McBride.
The night had its lighthearted moments-like Buddy Hield jokingly refusing to sign a Butler jersey-but underneath the laughs, the message was clear: Jimmy Butler is still very much a force. He’s not just hanging around; he’s leading, producing, and setting the tone for a Warriors team that’s trying to find its identity in a crowded West.
So sure, the jokes about age will keep coming. But as long as Butler keeps delivering nights like this-commanding the floor, cracking jokes, and pushing his team forward-he’s proving that age doesn’t define him. Performance does.