San Francisco—In a poignant display of camaraderie, Stephen Curry leaned on the shoulder of his sidelined teammate, Jimmy Butler, following the Warriors’ 104-93 playoff victory over the Houston Rockets. Butler, dressed in an extravagant fur coat, provided moral support from the sidelines as he continued to recover from a recent injury that kept him off the court for Game 3.
Despite the absence of Butler, who suffered a pelvis injury and a significant contusion from a fall in Game 2, Curry stepped up dramatically, delivering a stellar performance with 36 points, five three-pointers, nine assists, and seven rebounds in just under 41 minutes of play. His determination to fill the void left by Butler’s injury was palpable in every play.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the dual struggle of his star players as both have dealt with discomfort. “He’s literally day-to-day,” Kerr remarked about Butler’s potential return. “It helps that we have another day off, and the night game gives him a few extra hours.” Butler underwent an MRI on Thursday and had planned to follow his usual pregame routine unseen by the public.
Gary Payton II, who contributed notably with 16 points, emphasized the team’s need to rally in Butler’s absence. “We had to have Jimmy’s back while he was out. Hopefully, we get him back for Game 4 and return to our routine,” Payton stated.
Before his injury, Butler had been a key contributor, scoring 25 points in the opening game against the Rockets and showcasing his all-around abilities with seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Since Butler’s arrival in February, the Warriors have flourished with a record of 26-9, underscoring his impact on the team’s performance.
Butler’s injury occurred during a rough fall against Amen Thompson late in the first quarter in Game 2. After being fouled, he landed hard on his tailbone, forcing him to leave the game after briefly attempting to continue. Kerr praised Butler’s basketball intellect, drawing a parallel to former player Andre Iguodala. “His ability to communicate with teammates from the bench and provide insights is invaluable,” Kerr noted.
As the Warriors prepare for Game 4, the anticipation surrounding Butler’s condition looms large. Rockets coach Ime Udoka recognized the Warriors’ sustained threat, even without their star forward. “They are still dangerous,” he remarked. “We didn’t capitalize especially in the paint.”
As the series unfolds, the Warriors will lean on Curry and the rest of their roster to maintain momentum while hoping for Butler’s swift return to the lineup.