Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Golden State has been a game-changer—but as the Warriors make their playoff push, a sudden injury has cast a shadow over their title hopes.
The 35-year-old All-Star, acquired at the trade deadline in a blockbuster five-team deal, has delivered serious impact in his short time with the Warriors. In 30 regular-season games, Butler helped guide the team to a 23-7 record, averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
In the postseason, he’s kept up the intensity. Butler dropped 38 points in the Warriors’ play-in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and followed that with a 25-point, 5-steal performance in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets.
But disaster nearly struck in Game 2.
Butler was forced to exit the game early after a hard fall, the result of being undercut by Houston’s Amen Thompson while going for a rebound. Diagnosed with a pelvis contusion, Butler’s condition left fans holding their breath.
Early Reports Show No Major Damage
According to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, initial X-rays taken in Houston offered some reassurance, revealing “no major damage” to Butler’s pelvis. But to get a clearer picture, Butler is scheduled for an MRI in the Bay Area.
“Though the Warriors, as scheduled, are staying over in Houston tonight, the plans are for Jimmy Butler to fly back to the Bay Area tonight to get an MRI tomorrow,” Kawakami reported.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, speaking after the game, praised Butler’s resilience but admitted that the team remains in wait-and-see mode until they have MRI results in hand.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
With Game 3 set for Saturday, Butler has a few days to recover—and fans are hoping that’s enough. His leadership and two-way play have been instrumental to Golden State’s playoff surge, and any extended absence could be a major setback.
If Butler is cleared, expect him to suit up. If not, the Warriors will need other stars to step up fast.
After all, with the West wide open, the stakes couldn’t be higher.