Warriors’ Jimmy Butler Out for Game 3 with Injury

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will not play in Game 3 against the Houston Rockets following a pelvic injury. The injury occurred during Game 2, where Butler fell hard while attempting to secure a rebound.

Butler’s absence is a significant loss for the Warriors, as he scored 25 points in Game 1. He was optimistic about his return after head coach Steve Kerr had previously indicated there was a chance he could play.

“I’m relatively optimistic, I mean Jimmy’s Jimmy. We know he’s willing to play through anything,” said Kerr during a Friday interview. “This is a day-to-day situation.”

The injury was confirmed after Butler underwent an MRI on Thursday which showed a deep gluteal muscle contusion but no structural damage. The decision for Butler to miss Game 3 creates challenges for the Warriors, who previously relied on his offensive contributions to maintain momentum in the series.

“Obviously, he’s a huge part of what they do,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka, reflecting on Butler’s role. “You can key in on Curry a little bit more obviously with him not on the court.”

In Butler’s absence, Jonathan Kuminga is expected to take the starting position. He previously played 26 minutes in the postseason against the Rockets and will seek to provide an essential offensive boost.

Meanwhile, Brandin Podziemski is also recovering from an illness that affected his performance in Game 2, as he had to receive intravenous fluids during the game. Podziemski said he is ready to contribute significantly moving forward.

“Everybody’s going to step up and play a better role when he’s not out there,” Podziemski stated about the team’s depth.

Game 3 is scheduled for Monday, and the Warriors look to adapt to their roster’s challenges without Butler, who has been a pivotal player since joining the team from Miami at the trade deadline.