The positive momentum the Golden State Warriors gained from winning Game 1 against the Houston Rockets dissipated following a challenging Game 2.
On Wednesday, the Rockets not only secured a decisive 109-94 victory over the Warriors, but Golden State also saw Jimmy Butler exit the game in the first quarter. He sustained a pelvic contusion after falling hard while attempting to grab a rebound. Butler is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, which is expected to provide clarity on his availability for the remainder of the series.
The incident occurred when Rockets guard Amen Thompson went under Butler during the rebound attempt, leaving him vulnerable in the air. However, replays viewed objectively suggest it was not an intentional or dirty play by Thompson. Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed this perspective after the game.
“I asked our guys behind the bench and they just said it looked like there was some physicality on the rebound and I think Thompson just inadvertently found himself underneath Jimmy just based on the tug-o-war that was going on there,” Kerr said. “We didn`t think there was anything wrong with the play. Just one of those things.”
Adding to the Warriors` difficulties in Game 2, Brandin Podziemski was significantly hampered by a stomach illness. He initially attempted to play but was clearly unwell, even receiving IV treatment at halftime. He finished the game with zero points in 14 minutes.
Even before Butler`s injury, the Warriors were struggling to counter Houston`s physical play on both ends of the court. The officiating in this series, and across the playoffs generally, appears to be allowing a higher level of physicality, which benefits a team like Houston in disrupting the Warriors. While the Warriors are tough, they may lack the pure athleticism required to consistently create space and drive effectively against such aggressive pressure.
With the series now tied 1-1, the Warriors will return home to host Game 3 on Saturday. In the meantime, the team will be anxiously awaiting positive news regarding Butler`s MRI results and his potential availability.
Jasper Hawthorne