The Golden State Warriors faced a setback in their NBA playoff journey as star player Jimmy Butler suffered a pelvic contusion in a collision with Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets. The injury occurred late in the first quarter of Game 2, forcing Butler to miss the remainder of the game, which the Warriors lost 109-94.
Coach Steve Kerr expressed uncertainty about Butler’s availability for Game 3, pending the results of an MRI scheduled for Thursday. The team’s .481 winning percentage without Butler highlights the significance of his potential absence in upcoming games.
The unfortunate incident occurred when Thompson was pushed into Butler’s legs as they both went for a rebound, resulting in a hard fall for both players. Despite initially getting up to shoot free throws, Butler was eventually escorted off the court and taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
Kerr emphasized that there was no malicious intent from Thompson, attributing the collision to a regular basketball play. Butler’s absence in Game 2 was felt, especially after his impressive performance in Game 1, where he contributed significantly to the team’s victory with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
In addition to Butler’s injury, the Warriors also dealt with guard Brandin Podziemski’s health issues during the game. Podziemski, who was sidelined in the first half due to a stomach ailment, returned in the third quarter after receiving IV treatment at halftime.
As the Warriors await Butler’s MRI results and assess their options for the upcoming games, Kerr remains hopeful for his star player’s recovery. The team will need to regroup and strategize to overcome the challenges posed by injuries and maintain their competitive edge in the playoffs.
[The Associated Press contributed to this report.]
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