HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors is fouled by Amen … More
The Golden State Warriors’ chances of a deep run in the NBA playoffs took a distressing turn Wednesday night when star Jimmy Butler suffered a pelvic contusion after taking a hard fall on a foul by Amen Thompson late in the first quarter and missed the rest of the Warriors’ 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Coach Steve Kerr said he wasn’t sure if Butler would be available for Game 3 on Saturday. He’s scheduled to have an MRI exam Thursday.
“Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play, but if not we’ve gotta go through our options and put together a plan,” Kerr told reporters.
The Warriors have a .481 winning percentage without Butler, per ESPN.
Butler suffered the injury when Thompson was pushed into his legs as he jumped to try and grab a rebound. Both players crashed to the court in the collision, but Butler stayed down longer than Thompson.
He eventually got up and slowly walked to the other end of the court to shoot free throws. Butler made 1 of 2 and was soon taken out of the game and immediately headed to the locker room.
Kerr doesn’t believe that Thompson meant to hurt Butler.
“We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play,” Kerr said. “It was just one of those plays.”
Butler, who had three points and two rebounds before leaving, had 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Golden State’s 95-85 win in Game 1.
“Jimmy always says he’s going to be fine,” Kerr said. “But we have to wait to see with the MRI.”
Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski, who sat out for much of the first half dealing with a stomach ailment, returned in the third quarter. Kerr said before the game that the starting guard was struggling with a stomach problem because of something he ate and said afterward that he received an IV at halftime.
(The AP contributed reporting)
