One game into the series and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is already reevaluating his Game 1 approach. Well, especially when it comes to Jimmy Butler III.
Following Sunday’s 95-85 win over the Houston Rockets, Kerr openly admitted to pushing the 35-year-old All-Star a bit too far in the second half. And while the Warriors now lead the series 1-0, Kerr’s honest reflection ahead of Game 2 speaks volumes about the balance between aggression and preservation in the postseason.
Kerr Owns Up: “I Made a Mistake”
Butler delivered an all-time playoff debut in a Warriors uniform on Sunday. With 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals on 10-of-19 shooting in 42 minutes. Historic stuff.
In fact, Butler became just the fourth Warrior since 1973-74 to put up at least 25-5-5-5 in a playoff game, joining Rick Barry, Stephen Curry, and Tim Hardaway. But all that dominance came at a price.
“I thought where I made a mistake… I kept Jimmy out there because we were rolling,” Kerr admitted postgame. “I thought I played him too much in the second half. I definitely need to look at the rotations and make sure that we’re getting guys the rest they need.”
Steve Kerr said he thought he made a “mistake” leaving Jimmy Butler in too long in the third quarter of Game 1. But he says he’s comfortable playing Butler “40 to 42” minutes nightly in playoffs. pic.twitter.com/X55IPglDjm
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 22, 2025
Well, can you blame him? When a guy is cooking like that, and the Rockets were starting to feel the heat, you ride the wave. But Butler isn’t 25 anymore. He’s 35. That means managing minutes isn’t just strategy; it’s survival.
Kerr did clarify that Butler is “fine” playing 40 to 42 minutes when needed, calling him one of the few players in the league who can handle that workload without immediate physical drop-off. Still, with Curry at 37 also logging 40 minutes, the balance between urgency and longevity might become the most important storyline of the series.
A New Tone for the Warriors Moving Forward
What’s becoming more clear with every game is that this isn’t the same old Warriors squad from 2015 or 2018. It’s a team that’s finding its identity again. Grittier, more deliberate, leaning on veteran smarts rather than flashy dominance. And Butler, who has always thrived in high-pressure spots, seems to be the perfect plug-in.
While Curry is still the offensive anchor, Butler’s Game 1 was a tone-setter. On both ends. Kerr said it best: not every player can absorb 40+ minutes and still be a menace on defense and a problem on offense. But Butler isn’t just “any” player.
Game 2 tips off Wednesday night in Houston, where the Rockets will be looking to strike back on their home court. But if Butler shows up with even half the energy from Game 1, and Kerr tightens up the rotation, the Warriors might just leave the Toyota Center with a 2-0 stranglehold.