Sources: Warriors' Jimmy Butler day-to-day with pelvic injury after MRI
04/24/2025 10:42 PM
Golden State Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler suffered a pelvis contusion during Wednesday night’s 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round series. Butler flew separately from the team immediately following this loss to undergo an MRI on Thursday morning in San Francisco.
Upon undergoing further imaging on Thursday, it has been determined that Butler suffered a deep glute muscle contusion, league sources told ClutchPoints. While this is not the best scenario that could have been presented to the Dubs, the good news is that Butler did not suffer any structural damage and is considered “day-to-day” with this pelvis injury, sources said.
He will be listed as questionable for Game 3 in San Francisco on Saturday.
The injury occurred in the late stages of the first quarter in Game 2 when Butler converged in the lane to try and grab a rebound. As he soared high for the rebound, Butler was undercut by Rockets guard Amen Thompson while he was in the air. Thompson appeared to get his legs tangled up with Draymond Green and Steven Adams, and he tripped into the airborne Warriors star.
Butler fell hard to the ground and landed straight on his tailbone. He was in immediate discomfort and pain on the ground before being helped to his feet.
Jimmy Butler took a HARD fall after going up for a defensive rebound.
He would stay in the game
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 24, 2025
Although Butler remained in the game momentarily, making one of his two free-throw attempts, he was subbed out the next position. He gingerly walked to the locker room while being escorted by team personnel. Not too long after, the Warriors announced that Butler would miss the remainder of Game 2 with a pelvis contusion.
Impact of Jimmy Butler’s injury
The fact that there is no structural damage or fractures is great news for Butler and the Warriors. However, tailbone and pelvic injuries have plagued the Warriors this season.
Stephen Curry suffered a pelvic contusion against the Toronto Raptors on Mar. 20 after landing straight on his backside, and he ultimately missed two games. Upon returning, Curry was still dealing with discomfort, but he had extra padding to help brace his falls and protect the injury.
Jonathan Kuminga also suffered a similar injury on Mar. 30 against the San Antonio Spurs and missed one game.
The Warriors are comparing Butler’s injury to that of Curry’s, sources said, and they do not believe there are any differences between the two injuries in terms of recovery time. Then again, Butler’s availability will be based on how he feels.
If Golden State were to play Game 3 in San Francisco on Friday instead of Saturday, Butler’s chances of playing would be lessened. Having an extra day to rest and recover will pay off for Butler, but it does not 100 percent mean he will be available for Game 3.
Butler is a tough player, and he never wants to miss time, especially in the playoffs. That is why he is going to push hard to play in the Warriors’ postseason home opener on Saturday.
After Wednesday night’s game, head coach Steve Kerr spoke to the media and provided a slight update on Butler’s status.
“Jimmy always says he’s gonna be fine,’ Kerr stated. “But we have to wait to see what the MRI says.”
Kerr also discussed the play in which the injury happened. Although he says he didn’t see the reply, the Warriors’ staff doesn’t believe there was any ill intent behind the play where Butler got hurt.
“We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play. It was just one of those plays.”
Without Butler on the court for the majority of Game 2, Kerr went deep into his bench with Kuminga, Pat Spencer, and Gui Santos helping fill Butler’s minutes. Curry played a team-high 37 minutes in the 15-point loss.
If Butler can’t play in Game 3, the Warriors’ chances of holding onto momentum in the series would be in danger. Moses Moody, Kuminga, and Santos would be the three likely players Kerr would turn to in order to try and fill Butler’s role.
“Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play,” Kerr stated while looking ahead to Game 3. “But if not, then we’ve got to go through our options and put together a plan.”
The post Sources: Warriors’ Jimmy Butler day-to-day with pelvic injury after MRI appeared first on ClutchPoints.
