Dub Hub: Warriors feeling the momentum shift after the Jimmy Butler trade

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, February 24th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr says the Warriors can feel their momentum shifting after the Jimmy Butler trade.
• Warriors retire the jersey of four-time champion Andre Iguodala.
• 76ers’ Joel Embiid considering surgery for injured left knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Golden State Warriors rolled past the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, securing a 126-102 victory to improve to 30-27 on the season. But beyond the win, the energy around the team feels noticeably different—largely thanks to the addition of six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. Since acquiring Butler, the Warriors are 5-1, and head coach Steve Kerr has seen a clear shift in momentum.

Through six games with Golden State, Butler is averaging 20 points and 5.5 assists, but his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s brought energy and confidence to a team that was stagnating midseason, helping the Warriors regain their rhythm as they push for playoff positioning.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, February 24th:

Warriors News:

With Jimmy Butler, Warriors are ‘totally different’ in non-Steph Curry minutes and thriving | The Athletic

“The plus-minus tells the whole story,” Curry said. “Totally different than what it was before, where you felt a little pressure to create separation because we were trying to fill some holes in those minutes.”

The before Curry is referencing is before the Jimmy Butler trade. The Warriors were a cumulative minus-90 without Curry on the floor in the 51 games leading up to Butler’s arrival. In the six games since he joined — with Butler’s substitution pattern staggered with Curry’s, allowing him to lead those units — the Warriors are plus-30 with Curry off the floor.

Warriors retire former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala’s jersey | ESPN

“I had the opportunity to kind of help those guys as they were younger coming into their own,” Iguodala said about the Warriors when he joined them. “But then also, it’s rare, I think, in professional sports to see a guy that’s kinda still in his prime and kinda take a back seat or actually willingly move out the way for the up-and-coming guys. Steph, it wasn’t that hard to move out the way. Klay too, Draymond too, so it was just a great, unique situation. It’s actually funny that you start to celebrate it while it’s kind of still going on. Those guys are still on the court, still playing very well.

“It worked out perfectly with Klay being able to be here. ... I don’t know if you’re ever really able to appreciate what you’ve done because you’re still in it, and my life right now is like I’m still in it, it’s even more busy, so hopefully get a chance to properly reflect, but just that competitive nature and spirit. You never really get a chance to appreciate your accomplishments.”

Steph Curry explanation for his 3rd quarter “Night Night” celebration: “Just a moment that I had with somebody on the other side”

Jonathan Kuminga returned to live contact 5-on-5 scrimmaging

Warriors sign Australia’s Taran Armstrong to a two-way contract

NBA News:

Starting 5, Feb. 24: A historic Cade clinic, Shai & Ant duel, Cavs & Celtics extend streaks | NBA

“Don’t touch me,” Cade Cunningham said Sunday. “I’m sizzling.”

The numbers don’t lie — Cunningham is indeed sizzling, and so is his team.

Pistons 148, Hawks 143: In a historic showing, Cade carved up Atlanta for 38 points on seven 3s along with 7 boards, 12 dimes and 3 blocks to outduel Trae Young (38 pts, 6 3s, 13 ast), powering the Pistons to their sixth straight win. | Recap

Early Eruption: Cunningham entered the half with 29 pts, 10 ast, 5 reb and six 3s, joining Luka Dončić as the only players to hit such numbers in any half in the play-by-play era (1997-98)

Sources: 76ers, Joel Embiid exploring options for knee injury | ESPN

The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options, such as surgery, for his injured left knee, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

Both sides have hoped for progress in Embiid’s condition, but his determination to play and current treatments — including regular injections, sources said — have not led to any improvement.

Embiid is scheduled to undergo tests on his knee early this week, at which point both parties will collaborate with specialists on the best route forward, sources said.

ESPN’s Shams Charania gives updates on the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Gregg Popovich

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Mavericks

Quinten Post

18 minutes, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 3-for-9 shooting, 2-for-6 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 50.6% TS, 0 +/-

It feels like there’s a stretch in every game — usually the second quarter — where Post is part of a brilliant stretch by the Dubs. That happened again on Sunday, early in the second, when Post drained a corner three and then, on the next possession, dunked through two Mavericks defenders to push the lead to 21 points and force a Dallas timeout.

I’m enjoying seeing him come off the bench, where he gives the Warriors an entirely different look that seems to confuse opponents.

Grade: A-

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.