Jimmy Butler played through a painful tailbone injury to help the Golden State Warriors win Game 4 against the Houston Rockets, 109-106. He had missed Game 3 due to the injury but returned Monday night and rejoined the starting lineup, even though he limped at times during the game.
Butler scored 27 points, had six assists, five rebounds, blocked a shot, and made all 12 of his free throws while playing 40 minutes. His strong performance came less than a week after a hard fall in Game 2 that left him with a deep bruise in his pelvic area.
He made three important free throws in the final minute, grabbed a crucial rebound, and hit two more free throws to seal the win. Draymond Green praised Butler for fighting through the pain and said his presence alone gives the team a big boost.
Butler said he was just focused on playing because playoff games are so important. He felt good enough during warmups and was ready to help the team win.
The game had some heated moments and was briefly stopped twice in the second quarter due to scuffles. Butler played over five minutes in his first shift and nearly 18 minutes by halftime.
Even though he’s still in pain, Butler said it feels worth it if it helps the team succeed. He had an MRI last week that confirmed a pelvic injury, but he still chose to play. The Warriors now lead the series 3-1 and could win it with one more victory in Houston on Wednesday.
In Game 2, Butler fell hard after being fouled, landing on his tailbone. He left the game after shooting two free throws. Stephen Curry, who has dealt with the same injury, praised Butler for his effort and toughness.
Butler has been a key part of the team since joining in February, helping the Warriors to a strong record. Coach Steve Kerr said Butler’s performance shows how valuable he is, especially in the playoffs. The team knows they’ll need him if they want to keep winning.
