It’s do or die for the Warriors. They’re fan favourites heading into the final game. They’d have hoped to finish the series off at the Chase itself. They now have to go to the Toyota Center, where the Rockets’ 29-12 record is the third-best in the West over the season. And they have the momentum of tying the series after being 3-1 down. So the Dub Nation will be banking their hopes on Stephen Curry and Co. to get it over the line. And seeing Steve Kerr’s new tactics for Game 7 regarding Jimmy Butler, should they be weary?

Jimmy Butler’s pelvic contusion really put a ceiling on him. He was flying high, but the discomfort was apparent in the 5th game. You don’t record an 8/5/2 performance in 25 minutes unless there’s something inherently wrong. He was even moving a little funny during the game. But he came back with a classic 27/9/8 showing in Game 6, as the Warriors lost 115-107 at home.

So, Kerr had to do something. He had to pull out a wildcard – something that Ime Udoka would never expect. That wildcard comes in the form of the out-of-favour Jonathan Kuminga. Kerr had already been vocal about how illogical the lineup would look with both Butler and Kuminga in the 5. So what does he do? Shuffle the pack around in order to give both enough time. This way, Butler doesn’t get overworked and Kuminga gets to prove himself (possibly) one last tine. And everyone’s happy.

But Kuminga missed the last three games due to an unexpected migraine. Even in the first three games- JK only managed a combined 43 minutes on the hardwood. He even fully missed out on the first game at the Toyota Center. But “everything is on the table for Game 7, for sure,” said Kerr after the 115-107 loss on Friday. The Congolese pocket rocket is the latest move Kerr might have to make tonight in Texas.

“But Kuminga is the most talented player they have left to unveil. He’s played well and aggressively against Houston in the past — he’s the one Warrior who can match the Rockets’ host of high-fliers. And even if he’s not part of any future plans, Game 7 is not the time to prove a point or withhold an intriguing talent,” said Tim on SF Standard.

Alright- so JK might play. This could give Jimmy Butler some much-needed rest. According to Tim’s tweet, Quentin Post and Gary Payton II might even see lesser game time due to this. But it won’t matter much to one of the pair – they might miss out on the game entirely.

 Gary Payton II caught an illness, listed as “questionable”

The numbers might not say it, but GP2 is vital to their rotation. The 32-year-old point guard has been the reprieve guards like Steph needed to get some much-needed rest. But Tim Kawakami just reported on him being listed as questionable due to illness.

What is it with Golden State players falling ill in Houston? Even Brandin Podziemski was battling an illness after the first game. Regardless of what it is, there’s a chance Gary won’t feature tonight. This does put a huge dent in Kerr’s plans – he needs all he can get for the sake of not putting the pressure on Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler again.

“I think it complicates things (if Payton can’t play) but it just requires everybody else to step up, just like any other injury,” guard Brandin Podziemski said Sunday at shootaround that Payton missed due to the mysterious illness.

But the playoffs aren’t a time for excuses. Either you’re made for this, or you’ll crash and burn like the rest of the mediocre teams. With Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry leading the attack, they’re no mediocres. And they need to prove that by winning at the Houston fortress. Only thing is, they might have to do it without Gary Payton II. What a shame.