Jimmy Butler Says Warriors Won't 'Use Anything as an Excuse' amid His, Steph Injuries
Jimmy Butler isn't falling back on injuries as an explanation for why the Golden State Warriors' season ended with a 121-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's loss, Butler said the Warriors won't "use anything as an excuse" for the loss when asked about his own pelvic injury suffered in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
Butler was dealing with an illness earlier in the series that head coach Steve Kerr said on Tuesday "definitely" impacted his play.
The Warriors also played virtually the entire series against Minnesota without Stephen Curry. He suffered a strained hamstring in the second quarter of Game 1 that Golden State was able to win.
Butler was diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and deep gluteal muscle contusion after taking a hard fall in Game 2 against the Rockets. He had to miss the next game before returning to the lineup for Game 4.
Curry's injury was a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which can typically require an absence of at least 7-10 days. The two-time MVP was cleared for light on-court workouts on Wednesday and he would be re-evaluated again before Game 6 if the Warriors could extend the series.
The Warriors never got the chance to see that possibility through because Minnesota won four straight games to close things out.
Between the pelvic injury and lack of outside shooting options without Curry, Butler never really got going in the series. He was held to 20 points or fewer in four of five games, including 17 on 4-of-11 shooting in the decisive Game 5.
Despite the bitter end to this season, the Warriors can feel good looking ahead to 2025-26. They went 23-7 in 30 regular-season games with Butler in the lineup after acquiring him from the Miami Heat on Feb. 6.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Warriors could have access to the $14.1 million midlevel exception if they don't bring Jonathan Kuminga back.
A full season with Butler, Curry and Draymond Green could have Golden State in a position so it's not fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. The Western Conference figures to be loaded again in 2025-26, but the Warriors have the components to be a top-tier team as long as their main trio stays healthy.
