National Basketball Association
Preview
Golden State at Dallas
When: 9:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

The Jimmy Butler trade is already paying dividends for the Golden State Warriors, who appear to be rejuvenated with the six-time All-Star in their lineup.

The Warriors look to improve to 3-0 with Butler on the floor when they face the host Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Stephen Curry scored a season-high-tying 38 points and Butler, who was acquired in a trade with the Miami Heat, added 20 to go along with nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals in Golden State's 125-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

Butler is settling in nicely with Golden State, which had a season-high 16 steals against Milwaukee. After the victory, Butler said he's still not in game shape following a suspension-filled final month with Miami.

"You got to think, I haven't played basketball in a month," Butler said. "My wind is nowhere close to where it needs to be. I can't wait until I'm back in basketball shape where I'm used to being. I won't miss free throws as much. I'll have lift on my jump shots. Right now, I'm just gassed. I'm glad we're winning. But I got to get in better shape."

Butler's arrival has created more opportunities for Curry, who has scored at least 30 points in four straight games. Curry has made a total of 14 3-pointers in the past two games.

"Every possession just doesn't feel as hard," Curry said. "You still see attention, you still see defenses, but (opponents) have to worry about something else. I want to be aggressive. Earlier in the year, that aggression didn't necessarily lead to anything as consistently as it has the last two games."

Meanwhile, few teams are eyeing the upcoming All-Star break as much as the Mavericks, who could benefit from a few days off.

The Mavericks started their tumultuous month by trading star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included Anthony Davis and Max Christie.

Davis exited his first game with the Mavericks on Saturday due to a left adductor strain and is expected to be out for multiple weeks. The nine-time All-Star joins a lengthy injury list with his new team.

Center Daniel Gafford has been added to the list after suffering a sprained right knee in Dallas' 129-128 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Gafford will be re-evaluated within the next two weeks.

Kyrie Irving scored 30 points in the loss for the Mavericks, who played without P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain) and Caleb Martin (right hip strain).

"The games keep coming," Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. "No one feels sorry for us. That's just the way the league is. For us to pout or take our ball and go home, it doesn't work in this league. You got to fight."

"This group is fighting. The group in that locker room has character. We're being tested right now. We have to keep the energy and effort."

Klay Thompson made five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points in the loss to Sacramento. The Mavericks having a depleted lineup means Thompson could assume a greater workload against his former team on Wednesday.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Christie are also playing a larger role for Dallas, which has dropped four of its past six games.

--Field Level Media

Stats and Records
Team Comparison
  W/L Strk Home Away Day Night Div Conf
Golden State 27-26 W2 15-13 12-13 4-6 23-20 1-10 17-18
Dallas 28-26 L1 15-11 13-15 2-5 26-21 6-4 20-18
Last Meeting
Golden State Dallas
Date Away Home Pts Reb FG% Pts Reb FG%
12/15/24 DAL 143 GS 133 133 37 47.6 143 47 59.8
Player Stats
Previous Matchup
Points Player Total FG% FTM
Golden State A. Wiggins 29 55.0 2
Dallas L. Doncic 45 69.6 7
Rebounds Player Total Off Def
Golden State D. Green 7 3 4
Dallas L. Doncic 11 2 9
Assists Player  
Golden State S. Curry 10
Dallas L. Doncic 13
Season
Points Player Total FG% FTM
Golden State S. Curry 1070 43.2 155
Dallas K. Irving 1068 47.8 160
Rebounds Player Total Off Def
Golden State K. Looney 345 143 202
Dallas D. Gafford 370 145 225
Assists Player  
Golden State S. Curry 281
Dallas K. Irving 213
Quickchart Matchup
Golden State Golden State Off vs  Dallas Dallas Defense
Golden State Off vs Dallas - Points For 112.2 Points For
Golden State Off vs Dallas - Points Against 113.6 Points Against
Golden State - FG% 44.5 FG%
Dallas - FG% 45.9 FG%
Golden State - Reb 46.0 Reb
Dallas - Reb 44.4 Reb
Dallas Dallas Off vs  Golden State Golden State Defense
Dallas Off vs Golden State - Points For 115.8 Points For
Dallas Off vs Golden State - Points Against 111.9 Points Against
Dallas - FG% 47.9 FG%
Golden State - FG% 46.3 FG%
Dallas - Reb 44.4 Reb
Golden State - Reb 44.8 Reb