Jimmy Butler's 2025-26 season ended the way no one wanted. A torn ACL against theMiami Heatin January forced him off the court and into a long rehabilitation process that will stretch into next season. The six-time All-Star underwent surgery in early February and has been methodical in his recovery ever since. "We're doing what we're supposed to be doing to try to get back on the timeline,"Butler saidrecently about his rehab.
But even while sidelined from the game he loves, Butler found a moment away from basketball that reminded everyone why athletes gravitate toward athletes. At a recent San Diego Wave FC investor gathering, theGolden State Warriorsstar spotted someone who stopped him in his tracks.
"Oh, we got all types of superstars," Butler said while gesturing towardUSWNTlegendAlex Morganat the event. "I'll let y'all know, not me." Then he pointed at Morgan and hushed, "Alex Morgan. That's Alex Morgan, Alex [expletive] Morgan." The club shared the clip on its official X handle, stating how Butler was 'starstruck' by Morgan.
36-year-old Butler was not being modest. He was being honest. Morgan's resume has every element to command that kind of reaction. She retired in September 2024 as the fifth-highest scorer in USWNT history with 123 international goals across 224 appearances. She won two World Cups and claimed the Olympic gold in London.
At the 2019 World Cup, Morgan scored five goals against Thailand to tie the single-game record and finished the tournament with the Silver Boot. Her birthday header against England in the semifinals, punctuated by that tea-sipping celebration, became one of the most iconic moments in women's soccer history.
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Butler became a minority investor in San Diego Wave FC in October 2025. He has long admired the sport and owns property near the city. When he joined the ownership group, he called it "a dream" to be part of soccer in a meaningful way.
Morgan beat him to it by a few months, investing in the club earlier that spring after finishing her playing career with the Wave. She led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield and retired as their captain. The club retired her No. 13 jersey last September.
The Wave have given both investors plenty to be excited about in 2026. San Diego sits among the league leaders in theNWSL standingsthrough four matches with three wins and nine points. A dominant stretch this past week saw them defeat the Utah Royals on the road and the Portland Thorns at home before handling Chicago Stars FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday.
Rookie Lia Godfrey has scored in three consecutive matches. Eighteen-year-old San Diego native Melanie Barcenas buried a highlight-reel goal against Chicago that marked the 4,000th regular-season goal in NWSL history. The club also introduced new signing Catarina Macario to the home crowd at halftime during the Chicago Stars match. Whatever Butler saw in this franchise when he signed on, it's starting to take shape.
Related: Warriors' Jimmy Butler Shares Heartfelt Update After Season-Ending Injury
This story was originally published byAthlon Sportson Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in theNBAsection. Add Athlon Sports as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
