April 25: The Warriors confirmed (via Twitter) that Butler has a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion. He’s questionable for Game 3 on Saturday, per the team.
April 24: Butler avoided a serious injury and has been diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). According to Charania, this is a best-case scenario for Butler, as his MRI revealed no structural damage.
Still, Butler’s status for Game 3 against the Rockets on Saturday is in “serious jeopardy.” The Warriors defeated the Rockets on the road in Game 1 behind strong contributions from Curry and Butler, but lost in Game 2 after Butler exited.
April 23: Warriors forward Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for the rest of Golden State’s ongoing Game 2 against the Rockets after a hard fall in the first quarter, Golden State’s PR team announced (via Twitter). He has been diagnosed with a pelvis contusion.
The 6’7″ swingman landed hard on his tailbone after Houston forward Amen Thompson was knocked off balance while battling for a defensive rebound and undercut him beneath the basket (Twitter video link via Dr. David J. Chao).
Butler finishes the game with three points on 1-of-2 shooting from the floor and 1-of-2 shooting from the free throw line, plus two rebounds, in just eight minutes.
Since Golden State acquired the six-time All-Star from Miami in a multi-team blockbuster trade in February, the team has rallied to emerge as a legitimate title contender. Butler has shored up the Warriors’ defense — and given them another major creator — alongside incumbent stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. An extended Butler absence could kill the Warriors’ title aspirations.
Another Golden State starter also departed in the first half — guard Brandin Podziemski is questionable to return after exiting the game with a stomach bug, per the Warriors (Twitter link).
Reserve forward Jonathan Kuminga, who had been removed from head coach Steve Kerr‘s rotation since the Warriors’ final regular season game, is now getting his first playoff run of the postseason. Guard Pat Spencer is also seeing some action in the rotation as a result of Podziemski’s absence.
Houston currently leads Golden State by double digits, 47-31, late into the second quarter. The Warriors beat the Rockets at home in Game 1 on Sunday.
A source informs Anthony Slater of The Athletic (via Twitter) that Butler will undergo imaging on Thursday. Slater observes that both Curry and Kuminga were recently diagnosed with pelvic contusions after their own hard falls, and each missed minimal time. Both had to manage the pain upon their returns but were able to play again fairly quickly.
Have to wonder if Pods was eating some Vietnamese food (Houston known for it…) and maybe the cook was a Rockets fan. There should at least be a cursory investigation. Maybe not Vietnamese, maybe shake shack. Figure out where and what he was eating. If they can catch Luigi they can find out who poisoned Podziemski
As for Jimmy he strikes me as the guy who fakes an injury but collects the ring at the championship ceremony. I don’t know him personally but his reputation is not good…
Well, there’s always next year…
This has been my mantra for 25 years Gary lol
Lol yes I’m with you brother. That was my line from 1985 through 2014. Put in 20 years hard labor lol
Are you hoping they keep Doug Christie as coach?
Rockets playing thug ball. How many fouls they are not calling on Rockets for holding and pushing Curry every play. NBA wants the series go longer.
Are you watching Draymonds WWE tactics, good lord.
Brooks is doing his best to get Green a T.
Green pushed Amen on the play.
Adams pushed Green into thompson.
That didn’t happen. Draymond pushed Amen. And it’s hilarious to me how much warriors fans are crying about a physical playoff game when draymond is the dirtiest player in the league and got away with multiple dirty plays/fouls last night. The rockets got called for a ton of bs foul calls. Playoff basketball is physical, stop being so soft, but I guess that’s what the west coast does to you
@ DannyW
1st push was Adams.
Not according to the video evidence. There was no push. What about the elbow to Spencer’s face later in teh game by Thompson? Its also on video and there was nobody else around. Rockets didn’t get called for many fouls. There i fixed it for you
Greens arm was out and Thompson fell because he was forcing his way through draymond. Look at the shot from straight on the play from the floor cam by the stanchion
Thompson pushed his way through Green. There was no push from Green. From that angle it looks like a dirty play.
I think less dirty than just young and reckless. He just tried to force his way through where he couldnt and could just as easily have been the one hurt.
I think warriors fans remember Patrick McCaw who got under cut and was never the same.
I dont think getting undercut had anything to do with the rest of his career. Least deserving player with what 3 rings in nba history
He was looking at being the best young player on the warriors and his career was down hill after that.
Brooks and Sengun are already at 3 fouls a piece they’ll be gone if they keep it up. Otherwise they can foul as they like…
I doubt the Refs will call 6 fouls on anyone its the playoffs.
You really believe that? Want to bet?
Refs lost this game by allowing pushes and hacks.
The game is far from over. I thought you were a warriors fan. Have some faith…
The refs didn’t lose this fane, the Warriors did.
Not to mention amen had 3 in the first quarter. Like do people even watch the games that they cry about?
even you know the Refs let the game get out of hand
@CamFrost
Which resulted in helping the Rockets (Smith and Eason scored 9 pts on 4-5 shooting after Amen sat).
Green is the league’s dirtiest player and has been for a decade. You do not get to complain about officiating when you have Draymond Green on your team.
Rocket fans can’t complain about Green when they have a team of dirty players. Even injured Butler on purpose. Only way they win is playing dirty. Spo don’t complain next game when they get called for a lot of fouls.
Draymond. Pachulia. Bogut. Just to name a few dirty GS players over the years. Don’t play this game bro. Zaza literally took Kawhi out a series against GS.
Bogut?? Next up you claim Curry is a dirty player. Brooks broke Payton’s arm. Houston is a dirty team because their coach was a dirry player during his playing days.
@ Camfrost
Careful you don’t strain yourself with THAT stretch!
All Warrior fans cry all the time here.
“Dirty Dra” —-
All?
I’m the biggest Warriors fan in the history of the world, but I call em as I see em. Correct me if I’m wrong Al.
Gary,
You and Arc are always fun to talk hoops with. Best warriors fans on this site/app. No offense to any other GSW fan but I feel like I’ve interacted with Gary/Arc more than anyone else who is a GSW fan. Maybe Aristole or Giants74? Both are good as well.
raz, you’ve always been kind with your compliments. You’ve been this way for years and years. I appreciate it and I know they appreciate it.
I always push back when people group everyone together. You can’t do it socially and you can’t do it in sports. It’s just wrong. It’s a lazy and it’s offensive. Some people are irritating, but most aren’t.
I love it on this website because 95% of the posters are fair and legitimate basketball fanatics. Lots of guys are funny, and plenty have massive knowledge of the game and the history. Very entertaining and very fair here.
I agree for the most part, everyone here really loves the game and appreciates good basketball talk and debates. Nothing personal. We are all connected by the game, and that’s what makes it sports so great, the bonding over something that you are passionate whether it’s good or bad lol
I even count Knickerbocker Al as one of the good posters. He doesn’t get nasty unless you are nasty with him.
But his love for Hoops is undeniable. I could sit and talk bball with Al over iced tea and nachos for hours.
He’s cool too. At times he gets too much but I like his analysis and input on certain players skill sets and what the potential can be. I always read his comments as well.
Most excuse me.
@rct
While that’s true, Jalen’s blatant forearm to Draymond’s face would have been a flagrant 2 if it had happened to anyone but Draymond.
In the playoffs they are very cautious in calling flagrant 2s. In the regular season but not in the playoffs.
Best be not be serious, I want everyone healthy. Curtain posters will be stripping the eventual winner of a title with should’ve, would’ve and could’ve. That will be more painful.
No you don’t. You wu ill enjoy the warriors losing
Nope, incorrect. Another 12 months of Davey saying Golden State are the rightful title holders. I’d rather the Warriors lose while Jimmy is playing. Thanks for telling me my thought process though, lol.
That Dave fellow is troubled…do a wellness check..
Davey gets a on everyone’s nerves.
I find him funny. Just a tad annoying when others are talking ball before the thread is hijacked and conversation inevitably turns into a Warriors thread.
I had it with Davey if you don’t agree with him he goes off the deep end. A control person.
When do you ever talk “ball”? You are always b**ching about the Warriors.
You aren’t much better than Davey. Both nuts, go away.
@ arc. Fair chance Jimmy will be OK, he’s a tough dude. You did what you had to do, two games to get one.
Yup. Diatribes about Kerr’s coaching and small ball philosophy.
General Soreness strikes again…
Haopened earlier than expected…
I knew you’d be lurking. Did you see the fall? Pretty brutal. I don’t think this qualifies as “general soreness.”
If you’re honest Scarlet, you’d have to agree. Are you honest?
The fall was worse than I thought but he did walk off the court…
And?
If you had been following his career you’d know he doesn’t have good luck with injuries…
It’s like expecting Ja, AD or Zion to be any different…
Don’t get so distracted.
You called him “general soreness” and I’m pushing back on that.
This was a hard fall. This is not “general soreness.” Do you agree or disagree?
There is no “and.”
I take it you have never been injured. Who has “good luck” with injuries. That is pretty dumb.
Warriors gotta sign Zaza Pachulia again for….basketball reasons
This is for the fans who want to destroy a 22 yr old. For a bad game. And it was a terrible game.— gm2
What did I say — 35 mins, 38 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl
Let me give you a heads up. For the 25th Time ….
You want to hate or trash a player. Wait till after his 24th birthday. Then the odds will be more on your hating side …… Jalen Green has the goods to be Special …..
Good point about waiting til 24, totally valid. I know he’s still young. Maybe he does become more consistent. Not hating on him, I just personally believe he’s not the guy for exactly the reason that’s happened the first two games (3-15 game 1, 38 pts game 2). No denying his talent. If I’m wrong, I eat crow. We’ll see in a year or two.
I’m on record here since they drafted Sengun and Green. Have always like the Rockets picks.
Sengun, Green, Thompson, Smith are all big time potential to me. Even Reed. If Reed can play the PG. look out, he could be another Dame. He is a great shooter. And has great genes from Mom n Dad. I teach like those 5. And Eason, Whitmore are also solid rotation guys. Whitmore is another with plenty upside.
I’m reading rumors more often now. About Smith being traded. Personally I like him and Sengun together. Could mean they see Sengun as the future 4. He can play 4 or 5. He is a lot like Jokic.
I’ m not a Warrior hater. I’m rooting for Rockets.
You’re also on the record here saying that Max Christie is almost as good as Luka Doncic.
Really ……. He plays better D.
You can make up all you want. The reality is all those posts can be searched. Christie is a nice 2way talent. Can be a starting SG. Is what I said. Still stand by it. Like I would anything I say.
Haha, it’s cool bro you and I both know what you said… everyone was down on Luka for 2 weeks because he didn’t look great off the injury those first 5 games… you said, actually suggesting Dallas got the better end of it because the mavs are right, he looks shot, AD is AD and, lmao max Christie is 80% of doncic anyway!!!!!!!!!! I’ve actually reposted your quote a couple times when you deny it, I’m not going back again. We both know what you said, so it’s cool.
Sometimes peeps get it wrong. We all do. Knowing that, just don’t act all like a know-it-all. You’re not.
Jimmy couldn’t get out of there fast enough lol…
He knew Jalen was looking for him ……
Jimmy is from Houston. He didn’t want to get embarrassed in front of of his home town …..
Love you Jimmy haha
Tough break. It was a rough game both ways. Houston’s gonna be a tough out. Great coaching.
Draymond’s hip check on the Thompson kid lead to Jimmy’s bad fall (?)
Adams hip check Green into Thompson
link to x.com
I get being a homer. Even a maniacal homer as one Warrior fan is. I get being mad you lost. Making up stuff doesn’t help. Look at it as many times as you want. Adams and Green are fighting for position. And Thompson is aggressive in trying to get around Green. Cause we all knoe Green is trying to get in his way. Which is what he should do. Thompson is young. A vet would have let the play go. Sometimes you just have to let him have it. But he got caught in no mans land and lost his leg. At the worst time. Jimmy paid the price. Physical series tend to push the envelope. Real talent understands the line of competition. The refs also have to be consistent and assertive. Rockets core is young are not going to back down. Warriors as the vet team, know this. Thas was a bad fall.
Ime literally telling his players on camera “the refs arent calling anything so tackle them” oops!
Ai cant replace these corrupt refs soon enough.
In short Jimmy has a hard but. Lucky for him. Get well Jimmy. Well I guess Kerr has no choice but to use Kuminga now. Go get em kid ……
“The three main gluteal muscles are:
Gluteus maximus:
The largest and most superficial glute muscle. It covers the other glute muscles and extends from the pelvis to the upper part of the femur.
Gluteus medius:
Located beneath the gluteus maximus, it extends from the pelvis to the greater trochanter of the femur.
Gluteus minimus:
The smallest glute muscle, situated beneath the gluteus medius. It also inserts into the greater trochanter of the femur. ”
I got the Rockets kicking the Warriors Gluteus Maximus in gm3.
Ooooooooof…
Hide your straws… many people be desperate to clutch them…
As a Rockets fan, I’m glad Jimmy will be back in the series. I want their best vs our best.
Lest we forget GS was a Chris Paul injury away from gettlng taken out by Houston the last full playoff series these two played.
Ume isn’t exactly an ethical guy, so no doubt rockets are dirty. Brooks is like a baby draymond and amen should’ve been thrown out.
Everything I’ve read says Jimmy will be out for gm3. Not good news for Warriors. Time for Kuminga to show out. Don’t overdo it kid. Just play let the game come to you. You are home. So everyone wants to see you do well. I’m rooting for Rockets. I want to see Kuminga play well. Only gm3 so let’s not get crazy …….
Kuminga actually had the best game of his career against the Rockets this season. Can he rediscover that JK?
Youth against youth. It has to motivate him. Right
It’s so shocking how pathetic GSW are defensively with no Jimmy.
If he is out, they will lose, if he is in, they will win. Simple.
Kind of crazy they didn’t investigate Pods poisoning. Houston police really can’t look into it? Smdh