Golden State Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler III exited Wednesday’s first-round playoff Game 2 road loss (109-94) to the Houston Rockets early with a pelvic injury. A day later, the six-time All-Star received a mostly encouraging update ahead of Saturday’s Game 3 home clash.
With 2:28 remaining in the first quarter of Game 2, Butler was undercut by Rockets wing Amen Thompson as he attempted to corral a rebound. He landed hard on his backside, reacting in apparent significant pain.
While Butler managed to shoot two free throws and briefly stay in the game, he headed to the locker room moments later. The 14-year veteran was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest due to what was initially described as a pelvis contusion.
Jimmy Butler III Expected To Be Questionable for Game 3 Against Houston
On Thursday, he underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler was “diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion” and his Game 3 status “is in serious jeopardy.” However, the league insider noted that “this is best case because [the] MRI showed Butler avoided any fracture or structural damage.”
NBA insider Chris Haynes added that Butler is “expected to be questionable for Game 3.”
Acquired at the trade deadline, the five-time All-NBA selectee was crucial to the Western Conference’s seventh-seeded Warriors’ (48-34) midseason resurgence. They went 23-7 over 30 outings with him and just 25-27 across 52 contests without him.
Butler has given Golden State a bona fide No. 2 scoring option behind superstar point guard Stephen Curry. Meanwhile, he is one of the team’s most capable wing defenders, giving it an edge on both ends.
The two-way star made a limited impact in eight minutes in Game 2, tallying just three points and two rebounds on 1-for-2 shooting (50%). However, he stood out in Sunday’s 95-85 Game 1 road win, recording 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals, shooting 10-for-19 (52.6%).
Steve Kerr on Potential Rotation Changes if Butler Remains Out
Following Game 2, Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed optimism that Butler wouldn’t miss more time.
“Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play,” Kerr said. “But if not, we have to go through our options and put together a plan.”
When asked if fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga could be in line for more minutes if Butler remains out, the veteran coach kept his options open.
READ: What Happened to Butler? Warriors Star’s Injury Update After Scary Fall vs. Rockets in Game 2
“We’ll see how it all plays out,” Kerr said. “If Jimmy’s out, we’ll have to rethink everything.”
Thus, it appears Kerr is keeping his cards close to his chest as he awaits the final verdict on Butler’s status.
