Huge blow for NBA as six-time All-Star on $55m-a-year deal tears ACL

Warriors star Jimmy Butler has reportedly suffered an ACL tear in his right knee that will rule him out for the rest of the season. Butler was helped off the court midway through the third quarter of Golden State's 135-112 victory against his former Miami team Monday night. The six-time NBA All-Star - who signed a two-year, $110million deal with the Warriors - was slated to undergo an MRI exam. The team didn't plan an update on his status until Tuesday but ESPN reported overnight that Butler's season is over. The 36-year-old was hurt moments after catching a pass in the paint. He went down hard and awkwardly following a collision with the Heat's Davion Mitchell - who was called for a foul. After the play, Butler was asking for two free throws, which was - at the time - a positive sign to coach Steve Kerr that his spirits were good. 'We're all really concerned but we'll know more after the MRI,' Kerr said. 'Everybody is subdued because of the injury, waiting to hear the news.' Butler's knee buckled upon his landing and he grimaced and grabbed at his knee while down for a couple of minutes. He needed teammates Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield to escort him off the court and to the locker room after the fall on the Warriors' offensive end. When he finally got up with assistance, he was unable to put any pressure on his knee. 'It's something you hadn't seen before, usually you expect him get up and even if he can't finish the game just get off the sideline. I just told him to take his time and figure out what he needed in that moment,' teammate Stephen Curry said. 'It's kind of funny he was still cracking jokes over there while he was on the ground in true Jimmy fashion. He's always going to have a good time no matter the situation is. 'I do love that perspective and that part of his personality, even in the worst of moment he's still having a good time. He was trying to get to the free-throw line, he said it was two shots.'