Six-time All-Star Warriors forward Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for the rest of Golden State’s ongoing Game 2 against the Rockets after a hard fall in the first quarter, the Warriors’ PR team has revealed (via Twitter). He has been diagnosed with a pelvis contusion.
The 6’7″ swingman landed hard on his tailbone after Houston forward Amen Thompson undercut him beneath the basket, as recapped by Dr. David J. Chao (Twitter video link).
Butler finishes the game with three points on 1-of-2 shooting from the floor and 1-of-2 shooting from the free throw line, plus two rebounds, in just eight minutes.
Since Golden State acquired him from Miami in a multi-team blockbuster trade midseason, the team has rallied to emerge as a legitimate title contender. Butler has shored up the Warriors’ defense — and given them another major creator, alongside incumbent stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. An extended Butler absence could kill the Warriors’ title aspirations.
Another starter also departed the bout in the first half.
Starting Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski is questionable to return after exiting the game with a stomach bug, per the Warriors (Twitter link).
Reserve forward Jonathan Kuminga, who had been booted out of head coach Steve Kerr‘s rotation since the Warriors’ final regular season game this year, is now getting his first playoff run of the postseason. Guard Pat Spencer is seeing some action in the rotation thanks to the absence of Podziemski.
Houston currently leads Golden State by double digits, 47-31, late into the second quarter. The Warriors beat the Rockets at home in Game 1 on Sunday.
A source informs Anthony Slater of The Athletic (via Twitter) that Butler will undergo imaging on Thursday. Slater observes that both Curry and Kuminga were recently diagnosed with pelvic contusions after their own hard falls, and each missed minimal time. Both had to manage the pain upon their returns, but were able to play again fairly quickly.
Have to wonder if Pods was eating some Vietnamese food (Houston known for it…) and maybe the cook was a Rockets fan. There should at least be a cursory investigation. Maybe not Vietnamese, maybe shake shack. Figure out where and what he was eating. If they can catch Luigi they can find out who poisoned Podziemski
As for Jimmy he strikes me as the guy who fakes an injury but collects the ring at the championship ceremony. I don’t know him personally but his reputation is not good…
Well, there’s always next year…
This has been my mantra for 25 years Gary lol
Lol yes I’m with you brother. That was my line from 1985 through 2014. Put in 20 years hard labor lol
Are you hoping they keep Doug Christie as coach?
Rockets playing thug ball. How many fouls they are not calling on Rockets for holding and pushing Curry every play. NBA wants the series go longer.
Are you watching Draymonds WWE tactics, good lord.
Brooks is doing his best to get Green a T.
Green pushed Amen on the play.
Adams pushed Green into thompson.
Brooks and Sengun are already at 3 fouls a piece they’ll be gone if they keep it up. Otherwise they can foul as they like…
I doubt the Refs will call 6 fouls on anyone its the playoffs.
You really believe that? Want to bet?
Refs lost this game by allowing pushes and hacks.
The game is far from over. I thought you were a warriors fan. Have some faith…
The refs didn’t lose this fane, the Warriors did.
Not to mention amen had 3 in the first quarter. Like do people even watch the games that they cry about?
even you know the Refs let the game get out of hand
Green is the league’s dirtiest player and has been for a decade. You do not get to complain about officiating when you have Draymond Green on your team.
Rocket fans can’t complain about Green when they have a team of dirty players. Even injured Butler on purpose. Only way they win is playing dirty. Spo don’t complain next game when they get called for a lot of fouls.
Draymond. Pachulia. Bogut. Just to name a few dirty GS players over the years. Don’t play this game bro. Zaza literally took Kawhi out a series against GS.
Bogut?? Next up you claim Curry is a dirty player. Brooks broke Payton’s arm. Houston is a dirty team because their coach was a dirry player during his playing days.
All Warrior fans cry all the time here.
“Dirty Dra” —-
Best be not be serious, I want everyone healthy. Curtain posters will be stripping the eventual winner of a title with should’ve, would’ve and could’ve. That will be more painful.
No you don’t. You wu ill enjoy the warriors losing
Nope, incorrect. Another 12 months of Davey saying Golden State are the rightful title holders. I’d rather the Warriors lose while Jimmy is playing. Thanks for telling me my thought process though, lol.
That Dave fellow is troubled…do a wellness check..
Davey gets a on everyone’s nerves.
I find him funny. Just a tad annoying when others are talking ball before the thread is hijacked and conversation inevitably turns into a Warriors thread.
I had it with Davey if you don’t agree with him he goes off the deep end. A control person.
When do you ever talk “ball”? You are always b**ching about the Warriors.
You aren’t much better than Davey. Both nuts, go away.
@ arc. Fair chance Jimmy will be OK, he’s a tough dude. You did what you had to do, two games to get one.
General Soreness strikes again…
Haopened earlier than expected…
I knew you’d be lurking. Did you see the fall? Pretty brutal. I don’t think this qualifies as “general soreness.”
If you’re honest Scarlet, you’d have to agree. Are you honest?
The fall was worse than I thought but he did walk off the court…
And?
If you had been following his career you’d know he doesn’t have good luck with injuries…
It’s like expecting Ja, AD or Zion to be any different…
Don’t get so distracted.
You called him “general soreness” and I’m pushing back on that.
This was a hard fall. This is not “general soreness.” Do you agree or disagree?
There is no “and.”
I take it you have never been injured. Who has “good luck” with injuries. That is pretty dumb.
Warriors gotta sign Zaza Pachulia again for….basketball reasons
This is for the fans who want to destroy a 22 yr old. For a bad game. And it was a terrible game.— gm2
What did I say — 35 mins, 38 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl
Let me give you a heads up. For the 25th Time ….
You want to hate or trash a player. Wait till after his 24th birthday. Then the odds will be more on your hating side …… Jalen Green has the goods to be Special …..
I’m on record here since they drafted Sengun and Green. Have always like the Rockets picks.
Sengun, Green, Thompson, Smith are all big time potential to me. Even Reed. If Reed can play the PG. look out, he could be another Dame. He is a great shooter. And has great genes from Mom n Dad. I teach like those 5. And Eason, Whitmore are also solid rotation guys. Whitmore is another with plenty upside.
I’m reading rumors more often now. About Smith being traded. Personally I like him and Sengun together. Could mean they see Sengun as the future 4. He can play 4 or 5. He is a lot like Jokic.
I’ m not a Warrior hater. I’m rooting for Rockets.
You’re also on the record here saying that Max Christie is almost as good as Luka Doncic.
Jimmy couldn’t get out of there fast enough lol…
He knew Jalen was looking for him ……
Jimmy is from Houston. He didn’t want to get embarrassed in front of of his home town …..
Love you Jimmy haha
Tough break. It was a rough game both ways. Houston’s gonna be a tough out. Great coaching.
Draymond’s hip check on the Thompson kid lead to Jimmy’s bad fall (?)