What if the scariest part about facing Jimmy Butler isn’t his game but the uncertainty of whether he’ll finish it? Grit, clutch shots, fearless leadership—you name it, he’s got it. But there’s one thing he can’t outrun: injuries. Once the heart and soul of the Miami Heat, “Playoff Jimmy” has become almost mythical… yet lately, his playoff runs keep getting cut short by injuries. What if Butler had suited up for the game? Would his presence have been enough to shift the momentum and make it a closer contest? Or did the Warriors prove that even without their star, they can still deliver a statement win?
Game 3 between the Warriors and Rockets felt less like a playoff grind and more like a headliner concert—fast, electric, and totally one-sided. No Butler? No problem. Golden State came out swinging, and Steph Curry turned Chase Center into a madhouse, drilling deep threes like he was playing HORSE. Jalen Green had flashes, but the Warriors’ defense slammed the door shut. Final score: 104-93. Curry was pure chaos, dropping 36 points in 41 minutes, going 12-for-23 from the floor. But even though Jimmy was sidelined, his impact was still felt—and somehow, the team found a way to channel his spirit into a big win.
Coach Steve Kerr’s words after the game highlighted the often-overlooked power of leadership, even from the sidelines. “Jimmy is just so smart. He reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala,” Kerr said, drawing a parallel to another player known for his exceptional basketball IQ. Remember the 2015 NBA Finals, when Iguodala came off the bench to win Finals MVP? His defense on LeBron James and key shots in the fourth quarter helped the Warriors claim their first title in 40 years. Iguodala wasn’t just the star of the team on paper, but even his leadership, defensive IQ, and ability to make plays in critical moments were undeniable.
Iguodala was the glue that kept the Warriors together in moments of uncertainty and Steve feels that Butler is that same glue. “The ability to communicate what he [Butler] is seeing to his teammates, from the bench,” he added.So, this wasn’t just about the game on the floor; it was about Butler’s leadership off it. Kerr continued, “I thought Jimmy was really important for us tonight in that regard. I mean, he was talking the guys throughout the game and giving them advice, some help and yeah, that was big.” Butler’s ability to read the game, communicate effectively, and still guide his teammates while sidelined shows how integral leadership can be, whether or not you’re playing.
“Jimmy is just so smart. He reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala”
Steve Kerr spoke about Jimmy Butler as well as his presence on the bench despite being out due to injury pic.twitter.com/9TgsHLd8HU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2025
Even without Butler, the Warriors’ morale was high, and they proved they could rise to the occasion. As Curry put it, “We had one task. Hopefully, (Butler’s) back next game. But if he’s not, we can still play at a high level. We can win a tough, physical playoff game.” And that’s exactly what they did—showing up with confidence and intensity, taking control of the game. Curry led the charge with 36 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, but the real energy was truly collective. Buddy Hield added 17 off the bench, Gary Payton II had a crucial 12 points in the fourth, and Draymond Green made three defensive stops when it mattered most.
Kerr echoed that sentiment, saying, “This is what the playoffs are about. They’re about injuries, and they’re about guys stepping up.” With Butler sidelined, the Warriors showed they had the depth and resilience to keep the momentum going. As Green put it, “We all follow him [Curry]. Just with that type of tenacity, you’re not going to be the guy that lets him down when he’s playing like that.” Curry wrapped it up perfectly, “If there’s a situation where somebody is not available, next-man-up mentality, it’s got to be a belief and a confidence. Two months ago, I don’t know if we had that.” The Warriors have certainly found that confidence now, and it’s carrying them forward.
With the next game on the horizon, could they continue this high level of play without their star? Let’s dive into how the Warriors are adjusting and what Butler’s leadership still brings to the table, even from the sidelines.
Stephen Curry’s rise: Filling the void left by Jimmy Butler’s injury
Jimmy Butler’s injury has created a significant challenge for the Golden State Warriors in the 2025 playoffs. After taking a hard fall in Game 2 against the Rockets, Butler was diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion, leaving him with limited mobility. As Shams Charania explained, “He has no mobility… he literally cannot move well enough to play basketball tonight for the Warriors.” Despite the injury, Kerr remained optimistic about Butler’s potential return for Game 3, but it was clear the Warriors had to adapt without their star player.
Apr 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) suffers an apparent injury during the first quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
With Butler sidelined, Jonathan Kuminga found himself thrust into a more prominent role after a period of limited minutes. The young forward played 26 minutes in Game 3, stepping up in Butler’s absence. Though his shooting wasn’t perfect, finishing 4-for-12, Kuminga’s energy and effort were undeniable. His mindset was evident post-game when he said, “I hate the fact that everybody is telling me … be ready, be ready… I already know that I’m ready.” His confidence and focus showed, and the Warriors are hopeful he will continue to grow into his role, filling the gap left by Butler.
Though the Warriors haven’t unraveled yet, Butler’s absence was felt. Over the course of the season, Golden State boasted a 23-7 record when Butler played and a 25-27 record without him. His leadership and scoring ability were sorely missed, and the Rockets took advantage by loading up defensively on Steph Curry. The absence of Butler allowed Houston to put more pressure on Curry, slowing the Warriors’ offensive flow and making it harder for them to keep pace with the Rockets.
But, as we said, he had taken it upon himself and seeing Butler in that fur coat was all he needed to boost his momentum even further. “I almost didn’t need a hot pack on the sideline sitting next to him. There was plenty of heat emanating from him,” Curry said. While he had a slow start in the game, he found his rhythm eventually. After the game, Butler posted a fitting tribute for Curry.
He took to Instagram to share a picture of Batman’s Bat-Signal, except that in place of the Batman logo was Curry’s signature Under Armour logo. And we are sure Curry will embrace his new nickname even better in the coming games.
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