Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs delivered a double blow to the Golden State Warriors. Not only did they fall 109–94 to the Houston Rockets, but they also lost Jimmy Butler, who exited the game after a hard fall left him clearly in pain. Now, head coach Steve Kerr has shared how the forward is doing.
“I think there’s a chance he plays,” Kerr said Friday regarding Butler’s availability for Game 3 against Houston, scheduled for Saturday night at Chase Center. According to reporter Ohm Youngmisuk, the Warriors coach said he is “relatively optimistic” about the recovery of the 35-year-old player.
Butler’s fall, which caused a pelvis contusion, reminded some fans of a similar injury suffered by Stephen Curry just over a month ago—an issue that sidelined the guard for two games. Asked if Butler’s situation compared, Kerr noted: “It is similar in the sense that it was a pain tolerance issue after that.”
What does the latest injury report say about Jimmy Butler?
Nearly 48 hours after the game in Houston at Toyota Center, the Golden State Warriors released an update on the forward. “Jimmy Butler III, who exited Wednesday’s game in Houston due to a pelvis contusion, underwent an MRI yesterday,” began the official statement posted by the team on their X account.
Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors high fives Jimmy Butler #10
“The MRI confirmed the injury as a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion. His status for Saturday’s Game 3 is questionable,” the Warriors added. Combined with Kerr’s comments, this suggests that the medical staff and coaching team will monitor Jimmy’s condition closely in the coming hours before making a final decision.
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Warriors’ Stephen Curry gets real on Kuminga’s playoff role amid Butler MRI uncertainty
Who’s to blame for Jimmy Butler’s injury?
Right after Butler went down, many NBA fans on social media pointed fingers at Houston’s Amen Thompson, believing he intentionally caused the fall. However, Dillon Brooks stepped in to defend his teammate and instead placed the blame on Draymond Green.
“I think the dirty player is Draymond giving him a little push as regular basketball players do, and Jimmy’s flying in the air for a rebound and stuff happens,” the Rockets player said, according to ClutchPoints. “Amen’s not a dirty player…. We’re not worried about that. We’re on to the next game, and we hope Jimmy can get better.”
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