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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr Announces Jimmy Butler Injury Update Before Warriors-Lakers Game

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Jack Haslett | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 8:25 PM ET

The marquis matchup of the preseason between the NBA's two premier California teams, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, is coming up on Sunday. It's a heavily awaited game that gives a preview of the two teams that will be gearing up to battle for the Western Conference crown.

Fans have already had to make peace with the fact that Lakers star Luka Doncic will be unavailable for Sunday's game, but on the Warriors side, each of Golden State's stars will have a chance to show out for the crowd, if only briefly.

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Fans may have held their breath at first when hearing a troubling Jimmy Butler announcement, but Golden State head coach Steve Kerr has put fans at ease with an update on Friday.

Steve Kerr Reveals Butler Injury and Sunday Game Plan

Kerr announced to reporters that Butler had tweaked his ankle during Thursday's practice, but that there was no cause for concern.

Kerr also revealed a game plan for Sunday that would have each of the team's big names, likely including Butler, Steph Curry and Draymond Green, would play roughly 15 minutes each in the game, giving a limited workload to the stars while also giving them a chance to get their reps in in front of a major crowd before the season begins properly, according to Nick Friedell of The Athletic.

Kerr says Jimmy tweaked his ankle a little bit in Thursday’s practice but the Warriors expect him to be fine. Kerr says the main rotation guys will probably play about 15 minutes a piece on Sunday vs. Lakers — unless they decide to sit someone between now and then.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) October 3, 2025

The prospect of Butler getting hurt long before the season begins is a scary one for Warriors fans. A high-profile member of the Warriors offense, Butler has also long battled injuries throughout his career. Butler played 55 games last season between the Warriors and Miami Heat and has missed 20 games or more in each of his last three seasons.

Butler Looking to Overcome Troubling Injury History

Butler hasn't played in at least 70 games since the 2016-17 season, and his talent has limited time to translate to the court amidst significant injury trouble. His most recent injury scare was a pelvis and gluteal muscle contusion in last season's playoffs against the Houston Rockets, though he was able to return for the remainder of the series.

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Butler has been the most recent in a long line of blockbuster acquisitions made by the Warriors, and he will be looking forward to his first full season in Golden State. The Warriors will be making a push to the playoffs and hope to advance past the second round for the first time in four seasons.

To do that, they'll need all the help they can get, Butler included. For now, any injury to his ankle hasn't seemed to slow him down, and fans can look forward to seeing him on the court Sunday.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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