The Golden State Warriors are set to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of their first-round 2025 NBA Playoff series on Saturday night, but the storied franchise’s success may hinge on the availability of their mid-season trade acquisition, Jimmy Butler.
Butler took a hard fall after being undercut by Houston’s Amen Thompson in the first quarter of the Warriors’ eventual 109-94 loss in Game 2 on Wednesday night, which ended with the ex-Miami Heat superstar and 5-time All-NBA selection being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
He was later diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion that ultimately rendered the forward questionable for series’ highly anticipated third installment.
Fortunately for Golden State, recent reports have indicated that Butler is in good spirits and that the 6-time All-Star may take the floor for the most important game of the Warriors’ season to date.
“Jimmy Butler remains questionable to play tonight with his pelvic contusion,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel shared via Twitter/X on Saturday afternoon.
“He wants to play and the team has been encouraged, but a final decision will be made later tonight, sources told ClutchPoints.”
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“The Warriors and Butler know they dodged a bullet with this injury.”
The 6-time All-Star has been a revelation for Golden State since he was dealt to the organization from the Heat prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, as the Warriors won 23 of their final 30 games with Butler in the lineup to close the regular season and capture the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
In Golden State’s Game 1 victory over Houston by a score of 95-85 on Sunday, Butler contributed 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals while shooting 52.6% from the field in 42 minutes of action.
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