SAN FRANCISCO -- In a stunning display of resilience, Jimmy Butler overcame considerable pain from a tailbone injury to help the Golden State Warriors secure a thrilling 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. Returning to the starting lineup after a one-game absence, Butler played a pivotal role, leading his team just one win away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.
Despite limping at times due to the injury, Butler was determined to make an impact. "More than anything, I just wanted to play. This is the best time of the year for everybody; this is why you go through what you go through," he remarked. His commitment to the team was evident as he expressed his eagerness to return, stating, "I don’t like missing games, but I’m back, I’m back in a big way."
Butler's performance was nothing short of heroic. He converted three crucial free throws with just 58.7 seconds remaining in the game, secured the game-clinching rebound with only 4 seconds left on the clock, and sank two additional free throws to cap off a remarkable night with 27 points. He played a staggering 40 minutes on the court, recovering just days after sustaining a pelvic contusion from a hard fall during Game 2.
Teammate Draymond Green highlighted Butler's remarkable presence on the court, saying, "Tonight was great. He played through the injury; it was beautiful. What his presence does for this team is humongous." Green noted that Butler struggled in the first three quarters, but his determination shone through in the fourth quarter. "He never complained. He stuck with it," Green added, showcasing the mental fortitude that Butler brings to the team.
Earlier in the day, Butler participated in the morning shootaround, needing a successful warmup to be cleared to play. "I thought it was winning time," Butler said of his performance down the stretch, expressing his excitement at being able to contribute more effectively as the game progressed.
The Golden State Warriors are now set to return to Houston for Game 5 in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday night. As the seventh-seeded Warriors aim to eliminate the No. 2 seed Rockets on their home turf, the team knows they will need Butler's exceptional skills if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs. Head coach Steve Kerr emphasized Butler's importance, stating, "If this were the regular season, he’d probably miss another week or two. But it’s the playoffs; he’s Jimmy Butler, so this is what he does." Kerr further praised Butler’s incredible rebound at the end of the game, highlighting his elevation and force, concluding, "Jimmy was just amazing."
The Warriors now look to build on this momentum as they push towards a potential championship run, with Butler at the forefront of their efforts.
