The Golden State Warriors will have to try reclaiming their series lead over the Houston Rockets without Jimmy Butler.
The six-time All-Star has been ruled out for Game 3 of the Warriors’ first-round series, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Jonathan Kuminga, who was out of the rotation in Game 1, will reportedly take Butler’s starting spot.
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Butler was previously listed as questionable for Game 3, but his availability was reported to be in serious jeopardy on Thursday. Butler sustained what was later described as deep glute muscle contusion in a hard fall after colliding with Rockets wing Amen Thompson in Game 2. Butler exited in the first quarter and was soon ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The good news for the Warriors is imaging reportedly showed Butler to have avoided a more serious injury, such as a fracture. The bad news is they still have to figure out what to do against the Rockets in the meantime after getting outplayed throughout Game 2.
Jimmy Butler’s health is suddenly the Warriors’ biggest X-factor. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Tim Warner via Getty Images)
One adjustment the team is reportedly making is promoting rookie center Quinten Post to the starting lineup, giving them a more traditional big man alongside Kuminga and Draymond Green against the physical Rockets.
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However Game 3 goes, Butler’s health still figures to be a major storyline for the rest of the series. Butler was a significant difference-maker in the Warriors’ Game 1 win, with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in a 95-85 Golden State win.
That matched his regular-season impact, as the Warriors went 23-7 with Butler in the lineup after acquiring him from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline.
