The Golden State Warriors anticipate the return of Jimmy Butler for Monday`s Game 4 matchup. The forward suffered a pelvic contusion following a hard fall during Game 2 of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets. The Warriors lost that particular game but successfully rebounded with a 104-93 victory in Game 3 on Saturday, despite Butler`s absence. They currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series heading into Game 4.
Butler was officially listed as questionable on the evening injury report. He participated in a light walkthrough session during Monday`s shootaround, according to reports.
During practice on Sunday, coach Steve Kerr informed reporters, “I haven`t seen him today, but he`s been with Rick [Celebrini, the team`s vice president of player health and performance] and the training staff and I would just say he`s still questionable.”
Butler played 42 minutes in Game 1, 40 minutes in the Warriors` play-in win against the Memphis Grizzlies, and a full 48 minutes in their overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on the final day of the regular season. Kerr mentioned he asked Celebrini whether Butler would be capable of handling significant minutes after the injury, and Celebrini “really wasn`t sure — he just said it`s going to depend on how he`s feeling once he`s out there.”
Should Butler indeed rejoin the lineup on Monday, it would greatly simplify things for Golden State, particularly on the offensive side. Following the play-in game, Kerr told reporters that Butler had “completely changed everything for us” since joining the team at the trade deadline. He elaborated, “We`ve got the movement and the flow of Steph [Curry], but we`ve also become, for half the game, a great iso team.” However, if Butler is unable to play heavy minutes, the coaching staff will face decisions regarding the rotation. It`s uncertain if Jonathan Kuminga would be removed from the rotation again or if Game 3 starter Quinten Post would return to the bench while Game 3 reserve Moses Moody potentially re-enters the starting lineup.
It`s likely that Kerr will opt for the starting unit he utilized in the first two games, given its effectiveness during the regular season. Nevertheless, Post`s contributions to rim protection and rebounding in Game 3 might ensure he sees playing time in important moments. Ultimately, if Butler`s capacity or playing time is limited, the Warriors will need to adapt their game plan accordingly.
Jasper Hawthorne