Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Warriors' momentum at risk amid Jimmy Butler injury scare

By Matt Evans | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 8:40 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors’ playoff push hit a troubling snag on Wednesday night, as Jimmy Butler exited Game 2 against the Houston Rockets with a pelvic contusion.

The injury occurred late in the first quarter when Butler was undercut by Amen Thompson while battling for a rebound, sending the six-time All-Star crashing to the hardwood.

Butler briefly returned to the floor to sink two free throws but was ruled out for the remainder of the game. He is set to undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury.

The Warriors, already in a tightly contested first-round series, now face a wave of uncertainty. They fell 109–94 without Butler, as Jalen Green erupted for 38 points to lead a dominant Rockets performance. Houston never trailed and led by as many as 20 points, evening the series at 1–1 ahead of a pivotal Game 3 in San Francisco.

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"Jimmy always says he's going to be fine," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. "We have to wait to see about the MRI."

“We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play. It was just one of those plays. Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play, but if not we have to go through our options and put together a plan."

Since arriving from Miami in February, Butler has been instrumental in Golden State’s late-season resurgence. The Warriors went 23–8 after Butler joined the lineup. '

He delivered 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals in Game 1, averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists with the team. His two-way impact and late-game presence have been central to the Warriors’ rhythm and identity.

Without him, Golden State struggled to find cohesion. Stephen Curry finished with 20 points, but the team shot just 11-of-18 from the free-throw line and lacked interior resistance. Defensively, they had no answers for Green or the Rockets’ up-tempo attack.

With the series now level, the Warriors await the results of Butler’s MRI. A prolonged absence could force Kerr to reshuffle the deck, turning to younger players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Quinten Post. For a team that had begun to find its groove, Butler’s injury could be a turning point in their postseason journey.

Matt Evans

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports. Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

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