SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors believe there is a good chance that the team will have Jimmy Butler in the rotation for Game 3, who was knocked out early in Wednesday’s Game 2 with what the team called a “deep” pelvic contusion. The Warriors play host to the Rockets at Chase Center on Saturday with the series tied at 1-1.
“I’m relatively optimistic,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on Friday. “I mean, it’s Jimmy, and we know he’s willing to play through anything. So we’ll see. This is a day-to-day thing for sure, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. But I think there’s a chance he plays.”
An MRI on Thursday showed neither a fracture or any structural damage, but Butler could still miss Game 3. Steph Curry also suffered a pelvic contusion during the regular season. The point guard missed two games in March, and has worn protective equipment since returning.
Butler was injured on a hard fall in the first quarter of Game 2, landing on his back after being undercut by Amen Thompson while grabbing a rebound. Kerr said he and the Warriors’ coaching staff didn’t think it was a malicious play by Thompson, who squeezed between Draymond Green and Houston’s Steven Adams, stumbling into the legs of an airborne Butler.
Related Articles
Alijah Arenas, son of former Warrior Gilbert, no longer in induced coma and ‘showing significant signs of progress’
How to watch Warriors-Rockets Game 3
With Butler in question, Warriors will need Steph Curry to put on cape and save the day
Jimmy Butler injury update: Warriors forward “in serious jeopardy” for Game 3, per report
Draymond Green misses out on second Defensive Player of the Year award
With Butler out, the Warriors’ coach turned to Jonathan Kuminga, who had not played in the Warriors’ three most important games of the season over the last week and a half. Kuminga scored 11 points in 26 up-and-down minutes.
Regardless of whether or not Butler plays, and if Kuminga or any other player receives more minutes, Kerr said the game plan will not change regardless of who is playing.
“There’s not two game plans, but two rotations for,” Kerr said. “The game plan doesn’t change.”
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors exits the court against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 23, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
