Jimmy Butler has been ruled out after suffering pelvic contusion on a hard fall during the first quarter of Game 2 of the first round series between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Butler was undercut in the air by Rockets guard Amen Thompson while securing a rebound, and immediately exited the game.
Jimmy Butler’s injury: Deep glute contusion has Warriors star questionable for Game 3 vs. Rockets
Jimmy Butler is out with a pelvic injury after a scary fall vs. the Rockets in the NBA Playoffs
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
A pelvic contusion reportedly takes 2-4 weeks to heal. If Butler is out for any period of time, it’s a huge blow for Golden State and could swing the series. The Rockets took 14-point halftime lead with Butler out of the game. The Warriors took Game 1 in the series. Butler did not return to Game 2 as the Rockets evened the series with a victory.
Butler has been determined to have a ‘deep glute contusion.’ He is questionable for Game 3.
Watch the play here:
Here’s another look at the play:
It looks like Thompson got his feet tangled with Draymond Green’s, and it sent him flying into Butler. Nothing about it looks intentional. It’s just an unfortunate, freak play and it could change the series in a real way.
Butler was phenomenal in the Warriors’ Game 1 win. The Warriors have gone 23-7 since they traded for him. He’s given them a secondary offensive creator to take pressure off Steph Curry, and he’s also a key piece in a mean defense. If Butler is out for this series, the Rockets suddenly become a heavy favorite in the series. Butler is getting an MRI on Thursday, which will tell the team more about the injury.
Here’s a sane take on the Butler-Thompson incident from The Athletic’s Sam Veciene.
Get well soon, Jimmy Butler. This series isn’t the same without you.
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