Warriors Battle the Rockets Without Jimmy Butler

The Golden State Warriors found themselves at a disadvantage during Game 2 against the Houston Rockets, having to play the majority of the game without their prominent player, Jimmy Butler.

A pivotal moment occurred in the first quarter when the six-time All-Star had a hard fall on his tailbone after a collision with Amen Thompson. Butler initially attempted to stay in the game despite the visible discomfort but soon decided to step out.

His departure was immediate, heading straight to the locker room, and the Warriors soon announced that he wouldn’t return due to a pelvis contusion. As reported by Anthony Slater from The Athletic, Butler is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. “Jimmy always says he’s fine,” remarked Warriors coach Steve Kerr post-game.

In addition, the Warriors faced another hurdle as they announced guard Brandin Podziemski was questionable to continue due to illness. Fortunately, he made a comeback midway through the third quarter. However, with two key players sidelined, Steve Kerr was forced to rely heavily on his bench, deploying 12 different players by the time Butler’s exit was confirmed.

Among those players was Jonathan Kuminga, who, despite not playing in Game 1, was called back into action following Butler’s setback.

Jimmy Butler had made a substantial impact in Game 1, contributing 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals in the Warriors’ 95-85 victory over the Rockets. His influence has been consistently felt since his acquisition from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline, as the Warriors have achieved a 23-7 record with Butler in the lineup.