Warriors star Jimmy Butler missed Game 3 against the Rockets due to a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion from Game 2, so will he play in a crucial Game 4?
Golden State pulled off a 104-93 win in epic fashion without Jimmy in Game 3, thanks to a 36-point masterclass from Steph Curry.
He dished out nine assists as well, so he definitely had help from sidekicks like Buddy Hield and Moses Moody.
After the game, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater provided an important update on Butler.
“Jimmy Butler worked out on the practice court pregame, per source,” Slater said on X. “Medical team held him out to give body two more days to heal, but there’s a belief he will be back for Game 4 on Monday night with the Warriors searching for a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets.”
Today, Butler was officially upgraded to questionable on the Game 4 injury report.
“He continues to trend toward a return, per sources,” Slater said.
Head coach Steve Kerr was asked about Butler’s minutes if he were to return in Game 4. He played a whopping 42 minutes in Game 1.
“I asked Rick (Celebrini) that question today and he wasn’t sure,” Kerr said. “He said it’s going to depend on how he’s feeling once he’s out there.”
Meanwhile, the Heat are struggling without Jimmy and are on the brink of elimination against the Cavaliers. Herro’s former running mate Tyler Herro got pretty candid about the situation.
“I know I need Jimmy to win,” Herro said, via The Athletic. “If we had Jimmy right now, I feel like it’d be a completely different situation. We probably wouldn’t even be the eighth seed… finding that middle balance of like, damn, we need him, but also understanding, sh*t, that’s his career and what he wants is ultimately his right to want what he wants. It was just tough to be in the middle of both sides.”
