SAN FRANCISCO – The Chase Center was alive with energy as the Warriors celebrated the arrival of their newest star, Jimmy Butler III. Finally getting his chance to strut his stuff in front of the home crowd, Butler delivered a performance that showcased his skills as a savvy veteran, rather than flashy highlights.

Butler, a six-time NBA All-Star, received a thunderous ovation during pregame introductions and didn’t disappoint. Scoring 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting and sinking all eight of his free throw attempts, he also dished out five assists in a resounding 126-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr remarked on the difference Butler has made since his arrival just a few weeks earlier. “You can tell our fans see the difference,” Kerr mused. “They feel the moment just like we do. Sometimes you have to shake things up, and we shook things up”. As if on cue, Butler has consistently scored in double figures in each game since joining Golden State, solidifying his place as a reliable No. 2 scoring option behind Stephen Curry.

For many Warriors fans, this was the first time they saw Butler work his magic live after only being able to witness it from their screens. His impact on the game was palpable, finishing with a plus-28 rating, the second-best on the team and a personal best since joining the Warriors.

Butler had a mixed start, missing his first attempt at a corner 3-pointer. However, he quickly turned that around with a two-handed slam that had the crowd buzzing. With every assist and crafty move, he injected life into the game and quickly became a fan favorite.

In the second quarter, he dazzled everyone by driving through the lane and finding Quinten Post, who nailed a three-pointer. His footwork was impressive as he left Mavericks defender Naji Marshall grasping at air with a slick baseline juke, followed by a smooth floater. His playful side shone when, after scoring on Kyrie Irving, he celebrated with the classic “too small” gesture. This is the kind of swagger the Warriors need to boost their offense.

The chemistry with teammates like Brandin Podziemski blossomed as they chatted happily on the bench. Podziemski praised Butler’s high basketball IQ, saying, “The beauty of a guy with a high IQ is you can put him in any system and you know he’s going to figure it out”.

With this debut, Butler proved there’s a new star in the Bay, and fans are here for it. Let the celebrations begin!