Source: Jimmy Butler ‘Will Play’ Game 3 Against The Rockets

Despite numerous reports that Jimmy Butler might be out for the remainder of the series, one trusted source has told Sportscasting.com that the Golden State Warriors forward “will play” in Game 3 versus the Houston Rockets. Find the latest news on Butler’s injury status for the Warriors-Rockets first round series below.

The Golden State Warriors lost Game 2 to the Houston Rockets, 109-94, Wednesday night, which evened the series at 1-1 ahead of Saturday’s Game 3.

But potentially even bigger than the game’s outcome was the lower body injury suffered by Jimmy Butler, who left the contest late in the first quarter with a pelvic contusion after being fouled by Amen Thompson.

Jimmy Butler –

Concern for tailbone bruise, hopefully no fracture.
Return dependent on pain and mobility. Risk of missing next game, but Warriors have a little extra rest until Saturday. pic.twitter.com/K7sFlSOi7J

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) April 24, 2025

Losing Butler for any stretch of time would be devastating for Golden State, particularly against a foe as formidable as the Rockets.

Since arriving via trade in early February, Butler has transformed the Warriors into one of the West’s best teams. Without him, they’re sorely lacking offensive punch and defensive playmaking, both of which were on display during Wednesday’s defeat. In his stead, Jonathan Kuminga, Pat Spencer and Gui Santos all saw more minutes during Game 3. Starting guard Brandin Podziemski was also limited because of illness and only played 14 minutes.

Positive Injury Update For Jimmy Butler

Yet it seems like Butler won’t be out very long. A source close to the situation told Sportscasting that Butler has avoided serious injury and he intends to play Game 3 against the Rockets Saturday night.

“Jimmy will play,” the source told Sportscasting.

From what I’m hearing, it looks like Jimmy Butler WILL play in Game 3 against the Houston Rockets.

— Mat Issa (@matissa15) April 24, 2025

This is great news for a Warriors team which sacrificed considerable depth to acquire Butler from the Miami Heat before February’s trade deadline. Since his Feb. 8 debut, the Warriors are 25-9 (including the playoffs and Play-In Tournament). Over the final 31 games of the regular season, they had the league’s eighth-best offense and top-ranked defense.

The Warriors will host the Rockets for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Steve Kerr Now ‘Optimistic’ About Butler’s Status

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reiterated to the media that he’s optimistic that Butler will be able to play through the pain during the playoffs.

I’m relatively optimistic,” Kerr said Friday. “I mean, it’s Jimmy, and we know he’s willing to play through anything.

“So we’ll see. This is a day-to-day thing for sure, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. But I think there’s a chance he plays.”