Warriors Brush Off Rockets’ Physical Play After Butler’s Injury in Game 2 Defeat
The Golden State Warriors downplayed the Houston Rockets’ physical approach following a 109-94 loss in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs first-round series on April 23, 2025, which was overshadowed by a concerning injury to star forward Jimmy Butler. The series is now tied 1-1 as it shifts to San Francisco for Game 3. Butler suffered a pelvic contusion after a hard fall caused by a collision with Rockets forward Amen Thompson, leaving the game in the first quarter and raising questions about his availability moving forward.
The incident occurred with 2:30 left in the first quarter when Thompson, pursuing an offensive rebound, stumbled into Butler’s legs as he jumped, sending him crashing to the floor. Warriors coach Steve Kerr called the play “inadvertent,” while Draymond Green described it as a result of the chaotic rebound battle, noting he was boxing out Thompson at the time. No one in the Warriors’ camp labeled the collision malicious, though “reckless” was used to describe the Rockets’ aggressive style, which thrives on second-chance points led by rugged players like Thompson and Steven Adams.
Butler, who underwent an X-ray in Houston that showed no significant damage, is scheduled for an MRI in San Francisco on April 24 to assess the injury’s severity. Initial indications suggest a contusion, similar to recent injuries for Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga, who missed two and one game, respectively, for pain management. However, with playoff stakes heightened, Butler’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. He left the arena with a less pronounced limp than earlier, and Kerr noted Butler’s optimism, saying, “Jimmy always says he’s fine.”
The Warriors struggled without Butler, trailing 22-15 when he exited and falling further behind as Brandin Podziemski, battling a stomach issue, also left temporarily. Houston capitalized, with Jalen Green erupting for 38 points in a dominant performance. Tensions flared throughout the game, with Draymond Green at the center of multiple confrontations, including a shouting match with Fred VanVleet and a flagrant foul call on Jalen Green for contact to Draymond’s chin. Tari Eason’s towel-throwing incident at Pat Spencer earned a technical foul, adding to the series’ growing intensity.
Despite the physicality, Draymond Green and Curry suggested Game 2 felt less intense than Game 1. “We know what they’re trying to do—use their size advantage to bully us,” Curry said, emphasizing the Warriors’ need to counter Houston’s tactics without relying on referee calls. The Warriors acknowledged their defensive lapses on Jalen Green, who attempted 18 three-pointers, as a bigger issue than the Rockets’ physical play. Kerr praised Houston’s defensive force, stating, “They came out with amazing force defensively. It was their night.”
With two days of rest before Game 3 on April 26, the Warriors are focused on Butler’s recovery and Podziemski’s health. Jonathan Kuminga, who played 26 minutes in Game 2 after being out of the rotation, scored 12 points but lacked impact. Golden State will need a sharper effort from him and their role players to regain momentum at home, where they’ll host their first playoff game since 2023. As the series heats up, the Warriors are bracing for more gritty battles while hoping their star forward can return swiftly.
