In a crushing blow to the Golden State Warriors, Jimmy Butler exited Game 2 against the Houston Rockets after just eight minutes with a pelvis contusion—an injury that will send him for an MRI in San Francisco on Thursday. Losing Butler early proved costly as the Warriors fell 109–94, allowing Houston to even the first-round series at 1–1.
Jimmy Butler Injury Update: MRI and Outlook
Butler went up to snag a defensive rebound off Amen Thompson’s miss with 2:28 left in the first quarter. Thompson undercut him, and Butler crashed onto his tailbone area, immediately wincing in pain. Although he knocked down one of two free throws, he signaled for a substitution with 1:51 remaining and the Warriors trailing 24–16. He moved gingerly to the locker room and was officially ruled out before the second quarter.
- Injury Diagnosis: Pelvis (tailbone area) contusion.
- Next Step: MRI scheduled Thursday in San Francisco.
- Recovery Window: Two days off before Game 3, Saturday at Chase Center.
Head coach Steve Kerr summed up the mood: “Obviously feel terrible for Jimmy. Hopefully he’s OK. We’ll see.” Teammate Draymond Green added, “Jimmy’s only going to tell you he feels good… he’s given me zero reasons not to believe him.”
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Warriors Face Rotation Shake-Up Without Butler
If Butler cannot suit up in Warriors vs. Rockets Game 3, Kerr admitted that the entire lineup may shift. Jonathan Kuminga, who had fallen out of rotation late in the regular season, logged 26 minutes and 11 points in Game 2. Kerr said, “If Jimmy’s out, we have to rethink everything—rotations, who starts, best combinations.”
Meanwhile, Brandin Podziemski battled illness—reportedly from something he ate—and was limited to 14 minutes (0-for-5) after receiving an IV at halftime.
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Butler’s Impact Since Arriving in Golden State
Since debuting on February 8 in Chicago, Butler has been a revelation, helping the Warriors surge to a 25-8 record (regular season, play-in, postseason). His presence has:
- Lifted Stephen Curry: Butler’s scoring and playmaking eased Curry’s load.
- Stabilized the Second Unit: Improved “non-Curry minutes” with veteran savvy.
- Anchored the Defense: Golden State rose to the NBA’s top defense after his arrival.
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In playoff mode, “Playoff Jimmy” has shone:
- 30 points, 9 assists in final regular-season game (OT loss vs. Clippers)
- 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists in play-in win over Grizzlies
- 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals in Game 1 victory at Houston
Stephen Curry, no stranger to tailbone injuries himself, noted, “You know exactly what it is. It’s just a matter of how bad it was… but it definitely changed the dynamic of our offense.”
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What’s Next for the Warriors
Golden State returns home with a tied series and home-court advantage intact. All eyes now turn to Butler’s MRI results:
- If Cleared: Expect Butler to resume his All-Star role immediately.
- If Out: Kerr must deploy fresh lineups, lean on Kuminga, and adjust rotations.
Kerr remains cautiously optimistic: “Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play. But if not, then we’ve got to go through our options and put together a plan.”
As the Warriors prepare for Game 3, the basketball world watches for the Jimmy Butler injury update. Can Golden State withstand the early loss of their newest star, or will this setback tilt momentum back to the Rockets? Stay tuned as the series—and Butler’s recovery—unfold.
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