Jimmy Butler’s night took a turn for the worse during the Warriors’ Game 2 against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. Late in the first quarter, Butler went crashing hard to the ground and ended up with a pelvis contusion. Unfortunately, this injury knocked him out of the competition. This injury comes right after his historic Game 1 performance. He single handedly carried the Warriors into the NCAA tournament, scoring 25 points and collecting seven rebounds in the decisive win, adding six assists and five steals.
The incident occurred with just 1:51 left in the first quarter when Butler went up to secure a defensive rebound. Amen Thompson followed him up and caught Butler mid-air, making Butler fall on his tailbone region. He went for the floor and grimaced in agonizing pain. His teammates and coaching staff immediately rushed over in apparent fear.
Butler’s injury powered through it and played on. He converted one of two free throws for a total of three points and two rebounds in eight minutes played. A minute into the second quarter, the Warriors announced he’d be done for the rest of the game. As he walked back to the locker room, the way he limped told you just how bad it was.
Before the game, Butler said he was sick from something he ate. This was certainly a strain on him, as it very materially affected his performance on the court. Given that Jonathan Kuminga stepped into the spotlight, his absence was immediately noticeable. This was his first game back since the regular-season finale against the LA Clippers.
If Butler sits another game in this playoff series, Golden State will be in serious trouble. His absence would definitely alter the competitive landscape to a great extent. His leadership and scoring were critical in providing the calmness that allowed the Warriors to advance and win Game 1 at Houston. The team certainly appears to be hopeful about Butler’s recovery trajectory. From the outset, they’ll have to consider just how his possible absence might impact their playoff hopes.
Leave a Reply