Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III falls in the direction of the court docket after being fouled by Houston Rockets’ Amen Thompson in 1st quarter of Sport 2 of First Spherical of NBA Playoffs in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle through AP)
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he’s “comparatively optimistic” ahead Jimmy Butler will play Sport 3 of their NBA playoff sequence towards Houston regardless of struggling a pelvic contusion in Sport 2.
Butler took a tough fall on a first-quarter foul by Houston’s Amen Thompson on Wednesday and had an MRI examination on Thursday that exposed the extent of the harm.
With the best-of-seven NBA Western Convention first-round sequence tied at one recreation apiece, Butler was listed as “questionable” for Saturday’s Sport 3 in San Francisco.
READ: NBA: Jimmy Butler has pelvis contusion, standing for Sport 3 unknown
“I’m comparatively optimistic,” Kerr stated Friday. “I imply, it’s Jimmy, and we all know he’s keen to play via something.
“So we’ll see. This can be a day-to-day factor for certain, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.
“However I believe there’s an opportunity he performs.”
Butler, who got here down onerous on his tailbone when Thompson hit him as he rose to seize a rebound, stayed within the recreation lengthy sufficient to shoot two free throws then departed and didn’t return.
The Rockets gained 109-94 to stage the sequence.
READ: NBA: Jimmy Butler decided to deliver Warriors one other championship
Butler averaged 17.9 factors, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 30 common season video games for the Warriors after arriving in a February commerce from Miami.
He scored 25 factors within the Warriors’ recreation one victory over the Rockets.
Kerr acknowledged that his persevering with absence would require changes, however wouldn’t alter the Warriors’ plan of assault towards the Rockets.
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“There’s not two recreation plans, however two rotations,” Kerr stated. “The sport plan doesn’t change.”
