Jimmy Butler brought a “pass to Steph” game plan to the bench Monday, then discovered that coaching comes with employee complaints. The Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 138-87 at Chase Center on November 9, 2026. Stephen Curry scored 25 points, while rookie Yaxel Lendeborg wanted more arguing from his temporary instructor.
Butler carried a clipboard bearing those three words and wore the same outfit as the coaching staff. The injured forward remains in rehabilitation following surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. A sweater and some sideline instructions gave him another way to participate without checking into the game.
Curry supplied the endorsement Butler probably wanted, calling the message “good coaching.” The intended recipient clearly had no objection to seeing his name occupy the entire playbook. Lendeborg and De’Anthony Melton were considerably less generous when reviewing the new instructor.
Pass To Steph Starts With The Right Sweater
Butler’s coaching outfit began with a visit to the equipment room before tipoff. A sweater was available in his size, allowing the veteran to match the staff rather than wear his usual courtside fashion. Coach Jimmy had cleared the wardrobe requirement before presenting his entire offensive philosophy.
Steve Kerr had mentioned the same idea to assistant Khalid Robinson about five minutes before the game. Butler then appeared dressed for the job, despite Robinson never passing along the suggestion. Kerr described the coincidence as “mental telepathy,” which would certainly simplify communication during a noisy timeout.
The imitation extended beyond the clothes. Butler monitored team fouls and joined the sideline discussions, prompting Kerr to recognize some familiar coaching behavior. Kerr’s postgame assessment included a smiling complaint that Butler was “mocking us,” a fair charge against someone copying the office dress code.
Lendeborg Wanted More From Coach Jimmy
Lendeborg noticed the outfit while looking for associate head coach Frank Vogel during the first timeout. The rookie had a question for a coach and instead encountered a teammate dressed for the position. Butler had managed to surprise someone who sees the staff at work every day.
Lendeborg explained during his postgame interview that Butler “said he was going to get a tech for us tonight.” The unfulfilled promise earned a verdict of “shame on him,” although the rookie softened the complaint with “But it’s all good.” A technical foul apparently belonged on the evening’s checklist alongside the sweater and clipboard.
Melton joined the teasing, laughing that Butler had “got to go home” during his own postgame appearance. The guard did not seem to consider the reminder about Curry a major addition to his basketball education. Coach Jimmy had found the unusual workplace where keeping instructions simple could still generate complaints.
An Obvious Play Still Needs Other Scorers
Golden State had enough offense to survive even if Butler’s playbook never expanded. Brandin Podziemski matched Curry’s 25 points, while Lendeborg contributed 23 in the 51-point victory. The Warriors therefore received 48 points from two players whose names did not appear in the guest coach’s instructions.
Lendeborg has also credited Butler with giving him tips on the court during Butler’s rehabilitation. The rookie’s teasing sits alongside an appreciation for the veteran’s actual advice, making the exchange feel affectionate. Butler can help a younger teammate develop and still get roasted for dressing like his supervisor.
The basketball truth beneath “pass to Steph” is more interesting than simply handing Curry every possession. Screens and cuts help create the opening, while his movement can pull defenders toward him and free somebody else. Butler skipped the diagram, but the players still had to supply the execution.
Coach Jimmy Fits A Familiar Butler Tradition
Butler has changed characters before, including his emo appearance at the Miami Heat’s 2023 media day. The move from that look to coaching attire gives his wardrobe an impressive range. Plenty of players change shoes between appearances; Butler can apparently change departments.
The difference here was the setting: Butler brought the character into the middle of a working bench. Kerr became part of the joke while continuing to coach, and teammates answered the performance with their own punchlines. A timeout offered enough room for basketball instructions and a little friendly insubordination.
Golden State extended its winning streak to eight games with Monday’s victory. The clipboard did not establish why the team won, but it gave a lopsided game a moment worth remembering. A highlight from the bench is welcome when the scoreboard has already removed most of the suspense.
End Of My Pass To Steph Rant
Maybe an assistant coaching future awaits Butler whenever his playing days are finished. The “pass to Steph” strategy shows a welcome willingness to keep instructions clear. The next interview question should probably involve what happens when Curry takes a seat, although Podziemski and Lendeborg already offered useful answers.
The Warriors should save the clipboard and let Coach Jimmy build his résumé a little longer. Kerr seems capable of surviving the impersonation, and the rookie has already volunteered himself for quality control. Before accepting a permanent position, Butler might want that technical-foul requirement removed from the contract.
