Jimmy Butler Questionable For Game 3 Of Warriors' First-round Series Against Rockets

Warriors forward Jimmy Butler was listed as questionable for Game 3 of Golden State's first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets after he sustained a pelvic contusion in a frightening fall during Game 2.

"I'm relatively optimistic, I mean Jimmy's Jimmy. We know he's willing to play through anything, so we'll see," coach Steve Kerr said Friday. "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."

Butler flew home from Houston and underwent an MRI exam Thursday in the Bay Area that revealed he injured his pelvis and has a deep gluteal muscle contusion. The team announced the update Friday, with the best-of-seven series tied at one game apiece as it shifts to Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday night. Game 4 is Monday.

Butler, who has taken pressure off Stephen Curry by contributing on both ends since arriving in the Bay Area earlier this year in a trade from Miami, went down hard when fouled by Amen Thompson late in the first quarter and then missed the rest of the Warriors' 109-94 Game 2 loss on Wednesday night.

Butler tried to secure a rebound when Thompson undercut him and sent the Warriors star's feet high into the air so that he came down straight onto his tailbone. Both players thudded to the floor and Butler grimaced in pain grabbing at his backside. He stayed in briefly to shoot two free throws before going to the locker room.