Warriors Face Key Injuries Ahead of Crucial Playoff Game

San Francisco, California – The Golden State Warriors will host the Houston Rockets for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 26. The series is tied 1-1 after the Rockets leveled the matchup with a decisive 109-94 victory in Game 2.

Jimmy Butler, who has been a standout player for the Warriors, is listed as questionable for the game due to a left pelvic contusion suffered in Game 2. He fell hard while attempting to rebound late in the first quarter and did not return to the game. Team sources indicate that Butler’s status remains uncertain as the team monitors his recovery.

Alongside Butler, Gary Payton II is also questionable for Game 3 due to a right shoulder strain. Payton has dealt with various injuries throughout the season but participated in Game 2, even though he did not score. The Warriors will closely assess both players’ conditions leading up to the game.

Stephen Curry has been the catalyst for the Warriors’ success. In Game 1, he scored 31 points in a 95-85 win, supporting Butler’s playoff debut where he added 25 points. The Warriors will need that level of performance again, especially if they are without their two injury-prone stars.

The Rockets’ Jalen Green had a standout performance in Game 2, scoring 38 points and leading Houston to their first playoff win since 2020. As the series shifts back to San Francisco, fans are eager to see if the Warriors can leverage their home advantage at the Chase Center.

This matchup kicks off at 8:30 PM ET and can be viewed on ABC.