SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler go return for Monday night Game 4 against Houston Rockets. Team announce say Butler go dey part of starting lineup after him dey listed as questionable due to pelvic contusion.
Butler don participate for light walkthrough during shootaround for morning. Sources wey dey close to the situation tell ESPN say him don dey try everything to recover, from treatment to workouts, for past 24 hours.
Butler injure himself late for first quarter of Game 2 when he fall hard after trying to catch rebound. That injury prevent am to play only eight minutes, leading to Warriors losing that game 109-94 in Houston.
Without Butler for Game 3, Warriors still manage carry the night with big 104-93 win. Steph Curry shine that night with 36 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
As it stand, Golden State dey lead series 2-1, and the presence of Butler fit change everything. Coach Steve Kerr express hope say he no go dey limited if he play tonight. “He’s not on a minutes restriction. E go depend on how he dey feel,” Kerr talk.
Butler’s absence this postseason don make clear say him importance to the Warriors no fit be overstated. After him join the team from Chicago on February 8, their record improve drastically to 23-8, and their defense improved to top in the league.
For Game 3, Butler watch from sideline as he enjoy game in street clothes, focusing on recovery. Kerr believe say if Butler fit come back strong, e go reduce the pressure on Curry, wey don dey carry heavy load in Butler’s absence.
“If Jimmy plays tonight and looks like himself, hopefully we can get that down to 35 minutes,” Kerr add.
Butler dey average 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists for the regular season. His performance don always decouple more from just statistics, setting the stage for a major impact on the game.
Before news of Butler’s possible return, the Warriors dey manage other injury situations too, as Steph Curry get right thumb injury, while Gary Payton II still dey deal with left thumb issue. No doubt say Butler return go give dem extra boost as the playoffs dey heat up.
