The Golden State Warriors are hanging on by a thread and everything is on the line in their matinee matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, April 13.
Fresh off a crucial 103–86 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on April 11, the Warriors now face their final regular-season test: a high-stakes showdown against the No. 5-seeded team in the Western Conference.
With just one direct playoff ticket left, the battle at Chase Center in San Francisco could decide their fate. But one question still lingers among the fans: Is Jimmy Butler III playing tonight?
Jimmy Butler’s Status Before the Clippers Matchup
According to the latest injury report, Butler is fully fit and ready to go.
The Golden State Warriors star has not been listed with any injuries, meaning he’ll be suiting up versus the Clippers. That’s a major boost for the Warriors as they look to capitalize on Butler’s elite two-way play and playoff intensity.
This season, Butler has been averaging 17.5 points and 5.8 assists per game for the Warriors. The six-time All-Star was traded to Golden State from Miami before the NBA trading deadline on February 5.
But, while Butler’s playing status is clear, the Warriors do have some concerns of their own, most notably surrounding Stephen Curry.
The two-time NBA MVP gave “Dub Nation” a scare on Friday night when he exited the game after injuring his right (shooting) thumb. Curry returned to the game (with his thumb taped up) and still managed to put up 14 points in the win over the Trail Blazers. He’s officially listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Clippers.
With Curry’s status up in the air, the Warriors will also lean heavily on Draymond Green. The veteran forward has been doing it all this season, averaging 8.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. His ability to anchor the defense will be vital.
The Warriors-Clippers matchup is more than just another game. As mentioned before, if Golden State wins, they will earn a playoff spot as the No. 6 seed. Otherwise, the Warriors will be stuck in the Play-in Tournament.
What Does the Future of the Warriors Look Like?
The Warriors are sitting on a 48-33 record, just behind the Clippers, who are 49-32. The stakes couldn’t be higher as playoff positioning hangs in the balance.
Let’s look at the road ahead for the Warriors. A win against the Clippers would secure them a top-six seed, meaning they’d dodge the Play-in Tournament altogether. That’s massive for a veteran team that wants to avoid the unpredictability of a win-or-go-home scenario.
However, a loss would drop them to the No. 7 seed, forcing them into a play-in game which is likely a tough home matchup against the gritty Memphis Grizzlies.
The fun part? If the Warriors beat the Clippers, they’ll lock in an interesting first-round showdown with the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers.