Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler may still be sidelined with a torn ACL, but he looked far from downcast over the weekend. During San Diego Wave FC’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Stars on Saturday, March 28, Butler had an unexpectedly relatable fan moment when retired soccer icon Alex Morgan walked into his suite.
A video shared by the Wave, and obtained by Newsweek, quickly made the rounds online. As Morgan entered the room alongside her husband, former MLS player Servando Carrasco, Butler immediately locked onto her.
Looking straight into the camera, he pointed toward Morgan and repeatedly mouthed, “That’s Alex Morgan.” Seconds later, after the camera cut back to him, Butler could barely contain himself, exclaiming, “Alex f*cking Morgan!”
Butler has become increasingly connected to the club over the past year. In October 2025, the Warriors forward purchased a minority stake in San Diego Wave FC, making him one of the highest-profile NBA players with ownership ties to an NWSL team.
Morgan, meanwhile, also joined the ownership group last spring after wrapping up one of the most decorated careers in women’s soccer.
After San Diego secured the victory at Snapdragon Stadium, Butler joined 17-year-old forward Melanie Barcenas on the field. Barcenas scored in the 72nd minute, and the two joked about trying out a surfing-style goal celebration the next time she finds the net. Butler later referred to Barcenas as his “fave.”
Still, Morgan was clearly the highlight of the day.
Her résumé helps explain why. Morgan debuted for the U.S. women’s national team in 2010 and went on to become one of the most recognizable players in the sport. Across 224 appearances for the USWNT, she recorded 123 goals and 53 assists while helping the team win two Women’s World Cups and an Olympic gold medal.
She also played club soccer for the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, Lyon, Tottenham Hotspur, and San Diego Wave before the club retired her No. 13 jersey last year.
Butler’s appearance at the game also comes just months after his season ended abruptly. The Warriors forward suffered a torn ACL in January during a game against the Miami Heat and has been recovering since. Before the injury, he was averaging just over 20 points per game and had become one of Golden State’s most important players.
Even while rehabbing, Butler has remained active around the Wave and outspoken about his investment in the club. “Soccer has been a passion of mine for a long time, and being part of the game in a meaningful way has always been a dream,” Butler said when he joined the ownership group. “San Diego has become a city close to my heart.”
