In a challenging game for the Golden State Warriors, star player Jimmy Butler sustained a pelvis contusion following a hard fall late in the first quarter. This injury occurred after a foul by Amen Thompson, which led to Butler missing the remainder of the Warriors' disappointing 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed uncertainty regarding Butler's availability for Game 3, scheduled for Saturday. "Jimmy always says he’s going to be fine,” Kerr noted, adding, “But we have to wait to see with the MRI." The team is set to conduct an MRI exam on Butler Thursday to assess the severity of the injury.
Butler suffered the injury when Thompson inadvertently collided with him while attempting to secure a rebound. Both players fell to the court during the play, but Butler took longer to recover. Despite the setback, he managed to get back on his feet and walked to the other end of the court to shoot free throws, making 1 of 2 before being taken out of the game and heading to the locker room.
Coach Kerr emphasized that he did not believe Thompson intended to injure Butler. “We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play,” Kerr stated. “It was just one of those plays.” Before leaving the game, Butler had contributed three points and two rebounds. In the previous Game 1, he had a standout performance with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his importance to the team's success.
With uncertainty surrounding Butler's condition, Kerr acknowledged that it's too early to determine the Warriors' strategy if Butler is unable to play on Saturday. “Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play, but if not, we have to go through our options and put together a plan,” he explained. The potential absence of Butler could significantly impact the Warriors as they navigate this crucial playoff series.
In addition to Butler's injury, the Warriors dealt with another setback as Brandin Podziemski, who had been sidelined for much of the first half due to a stomach ailment, returned in the third quarter. Kerr had previously mentioned that Podziemski was struggling with a stomach issue from something he had eaten, and he received an IV at halftime to help him recover.
As the Warriors prepare for their next game, the health of their key players will be paramount in their quest for victory against the Rockets.
