Why do Timberwolves fans boo Jimmy Butler? The beef explained
The Minnesota Timberwolves fans have a grudge against Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler, and although it’s been a while now, the wound is deep.
On Tuesday, Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors came to Target Center for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals series. And every time Butler has been to that stadium since 2018, he’s been booed relentlessly by an unforgiving fan base.
With the stakes of the playoffs, the intensity was turned up even more, and Wolves fans did not hold back on booing their former player, who, though he spent just one season with the team, left a lasting, bitter impact.
What happened between the Timberwolves and Jimmy Butler?
Back in the 2017-18 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves were given a burst of genuine excitement when Jimmy Butler joined the team and led them to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Unfortunately, that journey was short-lived.
Just three weeks into the 2018-19 season, Butler demanded to be traded, citing dissatisfaction with the culture in Minnesota as well as contract issues. He left the team to head to the Philadelphia 76ers. But it wasn’t just that he left - it was the way in which he left.
His exit included a dramatic and public fallout with the team in which Butler criticized the younger players and made the now infamous comment - “you can’t win without me” - leaving the emotionally invested fans feeling utterly betrayed. What stung even more is that he was right, as it would be four more seasons before the Timberwolves made it back into the playoffs.
Butler’s reaction to the Timberwolves boos
Now a part of the Warriors team, Butler was booed yet again by the Wolves, despite it being his first time back at Target Center since 2021. Fans don’t forget. For his part though, Butler says he’s unfazed.
“[The booing] doesn’t bother me,” Butler said. “But people do have to watch their mouth. It’s cool with the boos and all this stuff, but when you’re calling people out of their names, which I can hear...”
Warriors’ Buddy Hield, who was at the media table with Butler at the time, asked Butler to clarify what the fans said exactly.
“You want me to repeat it?” Butler asked. “No, I’m not going to repeat it. It’s not good. That’s unnecessary. The boos, I get it, I understand. Let’s just keep it at that.”
Jimmy Butler on being booed in Minnesota:
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) May 7, 2025
Jimmy: “That doesn't bother me, but people do have to watch their mouth…The boos, I get it, I understand let’s just keep it at that”
Buddy: “Yeah watch your mouth!"
Jimmy: “Thanks little bro”
😭😭
pic.twitter.com/PUlqJWP6VV
Butler and the Warriors had the last laugh, winning Game 1 despite star Steph Curry leaving early with a hamstring injury. Butler contributed 20 points, eight assists, and 11 rebounds in their 99-88 victory. He and the Warriors will return to Target Center again tonight for Game 2 against the Timberwolves at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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