Jimmy Butler Injury Update: Will Warriors' Star Return In NBA Playoffs Game 3 Vs. Rockets?

Written By Eli Hershkovich | Published at April 26, 2025

NBA bettors have one concern in mind this weekend. Will Jimmy Butler play in Game 3 of the Warriors' first-round NBA playoff series against the Rockets? Below is an injury update on Butler and the latest on his absence, including betting information on the Warriors vs. Rockets. The action resumes on Saturday, April 26, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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rockets vs. warriors game 3 odds: spread, moneyline, total

When will warriors' jimmy butler return vs. rockets?

Although Warriors' star forward avoided a serious injury, his status for Game 3 against Houston is undetermined.

On Friday, Golden State announced that Butler's MRI confirmed a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion, and his status for Saturday’s game at Chase Center is "questionable."

This news followed Thursday's report from ESPN's Shams Charania that Butler sustained a deep glute muscle contusion and his availability for Saturday’s game at Chase Center is in “serious jeopardy.” He also noted that Butler’s MRI disclosed no pelvic fractures or structural damage.

Butler initially sustained the injury after taking a hard fall on a foul by Rockets guard Amen Thompson late in the first quarter of Game 2. He missed the rest of the Warriors’ 109-94 loss.

After Friday's update on Butler was released, the Game 3 point spread rose from Golden State -2.5 to . Hence, the betting market is more optimistic about Butler suiting up. If he doesn't play, expect this line to shrink closer to Warriors -2.

How long will jimmy butler remain out in NBA playoffs?

Not only is Butler's status uncertain, but even if he plays in Game 3, his minutes load will be up in the air.

Butler produced 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game in 30 regular-season contests for the Warriors after the deadline trade that sent him over from the Miami Heat. More importantly, before he arrived, the Warriors were 25-26 and had the No. 10 defensive rating in the league.

Since Feb. 8, when Butler made his Warriors debut, Golden State is 24-9 with the NBA's No. 1 defensive rating.

I believe Butler will play since the injury is seemingly geared toward pain management. If this notion comes to fruition, the Warriors' defense should rebound at home in Game 3, with the youthful Rockets dealing with a hostile road environment for the first time in many of their careers.