Nick Young has come under fire for comments he made about Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury.
Speaking on the Gil’s Arena podcast, Nick Young called the injury “karma” and remarked that Jimmy Butler “won’t be speedy no more.”
The remarks drew immediate backlash online, with fans and analysts accusing Young of being disrespectful towards a player recovering from a serious injury.
Nick Young hints at ‘karma’ behind Jimmy Butler’s injury
During his appearance on Gil’s Arena, Nick Young implied that Jimmy Butler’s injury was the result of bad karma linked to his past with the Miami Heat, speaking with former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas.
The comments were made just days after the Golden State Warriors forward tore his right ACL in a game against his former team, the Miami Heat.
“Against your old team, too. Somebody is not living right. Somebody is not living right, man. Go pray,” Young said.
“I do wish him a speedy recovery, but he ain’t gonna be speedy no more. That’s the last time he’s gonna be speedy.”
The clip quickly spread across social media, where many users criticised Young for mocking an injured player. Some NBA fans defended Butler, calling the comments “classless” and “unnecessary.”
Nick Young stands by his remarks amid growing backlash
Nick Young, who once played for the Warriors, later said his remarks were intended as a joke, though he stood by his “karma” comment.
Butler’s injury has caused a significant problem for the Warriors, who have now lost their second-best player behind Stephen Curry.
Before the injury, 36-year-old Jimmy Butler was enjoying a strong first full season with the Warriors, despite their record.
The injury happened during a rebound against his former team, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season following surgery.
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