San Francisco (Global Sports Chronicle) January 20, 2026 – The Golden State Warriors defeated the Miami Heat 135-112 at Chase Center, extending their winning streak to four games and improving to 25-19 overall. Miami’s Jimmy Butler III exited with a right knee injury in the third quarter after scoring 17 points. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 24 points in a balanced effort featuring double-digit scoring from five players.
The Warriors claimed a commanding 135-112 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night at Chase Center, pushing their record to 25-19 and marking a season-best fourth consecutive victory. The triumph came despite Miami star Jimmy Butler III suffering a right knee injury midway through the third quarter.
Butler’s Third-Quarter Injury Alters Momentum for Heat
Field Level Media reported that Butler, who had tallied 17 points as Miami’s leading scorer, wrenched his right knee chasing a loose ball under the Warriors’ basket with 7:41 left in the third quarter. The six-time All-Star collapsed in pain and needed help to the locker room. No official update on the injury’s extent was available at game’s end.
At the moment of injury, Golden State held a slim 77-75 edge. The Warriors immediately capitalised, launching a 12-0 run featuring seven points from Podziemski, including a 3-pointer, and a triple from Stephen Curry. This propelled them to a 89-75 lead with 5:17 remaining in the period.
Miami, opening a five-game Western Conference road trip, pulled within eight points by quarter’s end but stayed no closer than nine in the fourth. A 15-0 Warriors burst midway through the final frame, ignited by Podziemski’s two 3-pointers and shots from Buddy Hield, sealed the outcome.
Podziemski’s 24 Points Spearhead Warriors’ Balanced Attack
Podziemski erupted for 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting, fuelling Golden State’s 51.6% field goal efficiency in their seventh straight home game. Curry added 19 points, a game-high 11 assists for a double-double, and five of the team’s 24 made 3-pointers. The Warriors outscored Miami 72-39 from deep, with Hield (16 points, four 3s), Quinten Post (15 points, nine rebounds, four 3s), Moses Moody (13 points), and Al Horford (10 points) all reaching double figures.
The depth shone without De’Anthony Melton and Draymond Green, sidelined for the back-to-back’s opener. Post led Golden State in rebounds.
Journalist Anthony Slater highlighted the win’s impressiveness alongside injury concerns. Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) said in X post,
“That’s another impressive home win for the Warriors. Ran away from the Heat in the second half. But the concerning Jimmy Butler right knee injury looms over their hottest stretch — 6-1 on homestand, 25-19 overall, but status of star forward up in the air.”
That’s another impressive home win for the Warriors. Ran away from the Heat in the second half. But the concerning Jimmy Butler right knee injury looms over their hottest stretch — 6-1 on homestand, 25-19 overall, but status of star forward up in the air.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 20, 2026
Miami’s Scoring Led by Powell, Wiggins in Chase Center Return
Norman Powell paced the Heat with 21 points. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 in his first Chase Center game since last February’s trade to Miami for Butler. Bam Adebayo grabbed 12 rebounds but managed only four points on 1-of-13 shooting. Kel’el Ware added 15 points, Simone Fontecchio 13, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. 10 points with nine assists.
Miami arrived off a home win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Butler’s absence disrupted rhythm on the road swing’s start.
Post-Game Reactions Emphasise Warriors’ Resilience and Butler Watch
Marc Grandi of X recapped the scoring distribution and records. Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) said in X post,
“Warriors beat Heat 135-112. Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury in 3Q but GSW still ran away with it. Podziemski led the way with 24 points. Curry, Hield, Post, Moody & Horford also in double figures. GSW now 25-19, 12-4 in last 16. Now we await news on Butler’s right knee.”
Warriors beat Heat 135-112. Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury in 3Q but GSW still ran away with it. Podziemski led the way with 24 points. Curry, Hield, Post, Moody & Horford also in double figures. GSW now 25-19, 12-4 in last 16. Now we await news on Butler’s right knee.
— Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) January 20, 2026
These observations underscore Golden State’s 12-4 run over their last 16 games and 6-1 homestand, tempered by Butler’s uncertain status.
Game Context and Player Backgrounds in NBA Western Swing Opener
The matchup marked Miami’s initiation of a five-game Western Conference swing. Warm-ups featured Wiggins on the court, as captured in imagery from January 19, 2026, at Chase Center, credited to Kelley L Cox of Imagn Images via Reuters.
Golden State’s performance highlighted their resilience, particularly in 3-point shooting efficiency. They connected on 24 triples compared to Miami’s fewer makes, contributing significantly to the 23-point final margin.
Butler, a pivotal figure for Miami since the trade involving Wiggins last February, had been scoring efficiently before his exit. His 17 points came prior to the 7:41 mark in the third.
Warriors’ Home Dominance and Absences Tested Depth
Playing their seventh straight home contest, the Warriors demonstrated depth amid absences. Melton and Green were unavailable for the back-to-back’s first night, yet Golden State maintained offensive flow. Post’s nine rebounds led the team, underscoring contributions from role players.
Podziemski’s emergence proved crucial, with his third-quarter and fourth-quarter outbursts shifting momentum. Curry’s playmaking, distributing 11 assists, facilitated the balanced scoring distribution.
Heat’s Road Challenges Amid Butler Uncertainty
Miami’s inability to sustain pressure post-injury reflected broader road trip hurdles. Adebayo’s rebounding edge did not translate to offensive output, with his missed shots limiting impact. Powell and Wiggins provided scoring, but the team’s 3-point deficit proved insurmountable.
Jaquez’s assists highlighted playmaking, yet the Heat trailed throughout the latter stages. Coming off a Thunder victory, this loss tempers momentum for the swing.
Statistical Breakdown of Warriors’ 135-112 Triumph Over Heat
Golden State’s 51.6% field goal percentage contrasted Miami’s efforts. The Warriors’ 24-of-many 3-pointers overwhelmed, with individual tallies from Curry (5), Hield (4), and Post (4).
Key stats include:
- Points: Podziemski 24, Curry 19, Hield 16, Post 15, Moody 13, Horford 10.
- Rebounds: Post 9, Adebayo 12 (game-high).
- Assists: Curry 11, Jaquez 9.
Miami counters:
- Points: Powell 21, Wiggins 18, Ware 15, Fontecchio 13, Jaquez 10, Adebayo 4.
The 135-112 scoreline reflects Golden State’s 23-point edge, built on third- and fourth-quarter separations.
Injury Timeline and Immediate Game Impact on Butler
Field Level Media detailed Butler’s injury at 7:41 in the third, with 17 points logged. His pursuit under the basket led to the wrench, prompting locker-room exit. The Heat’s score stood at 77-75 Warriors lead pre-injury.
Post-incident, Golden State’s 12-0 run erased any deficit, with Podziemski and Curry key. Miami’s eight-point close by quarter’s end set a fourth-quarter chase unmet.
No post-game severity announcement emerged from Reuters coverage.
Trade History Ties Wiggins and Butler to Chase Center Return
Wiggins’ return evoked his February trade to Miami for Butler. The deal reshaped both rosters, with Wiggins posting 18 points in familiar environs. Butler’s pre-injury output reinforced his role.
This context framed the matchup, blending current form with historical transactions.
Broader NBA Context Around Warriors-Heat Clash
The game aligns with active NBA slate, including Pistons’ fend-off of Celtics, Suns’ 20 3-pointers staving Nets, and others per Reuters. Warriors’ streak positions them strongly, while Heat navigates injury and road woes.
Chase Center hosted amid Golden State’s home stand, testing depth successfully.
