The Golden State Warriors suffered a hard defeat in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. They couldn’t replicate their performance from the last game. But their chances dipped after just seven minutes. Jimmy Butler suffered an awkward fall after Amen Thompson took his legs out while mid-air. He fell hard on his back and didn’t return from that moment on. That sent a wave of fear into the Dub Nation.

The injury looked bad. While the X-rays didn’t reveal any meaningful damage, there’s a good chance the veteran forward might miss some games. After the game, Curry, who has also suffered a similar injury, was asked about playing through the stinging pain. He didn’t want to relate their ailments. However, his revelation might just offer some relief.

“The last one I had was just a contusion, and that is just a pain tolerance thing. It doesn’t change your mechanics or there’s not like compensation injuries that can happen if you’re not moving right. So yeah, hopefully it’s just a contusion because I think you could play through that eventually,” he said about Butler’s injury.

Playing through pain is an option you would imagine Jimmy Butler would surely opt for. But that is only in the case of him evading a major injury. The Warriors’ anticipation is now on the MRI that is scheduled for Thursday. It holds ‘make or break’ potential for their season. Butler has been a bright spot for the Warriors ever since his arrival.

Moreover, since the playoffs came close, Jimmy Butler had begun channeling his zeal for the spotlight. Prior to tonight, he had scored 20+ in his last five games, and elevated Stephen Curry’s ability to produce. His experience and competitive edge turned the Warriors into a formidable team.

However, if the unfortunate does happen, the difficulty will increase tenfold for the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors’ Game 2 debacle

Not much is needed to justify why having Jimmy Butler is important. He is a bona fide star, especially during the postseason, where he takes his game to astronomical heights. His defensive dynamic with Draymond Green tightened up the Warriors’ defense. Furthermore, he can also influence the game with his instincts and ability to get to the free-throw line.

His arrival has led to an awakening for the Golden State Warriors. In the games he has played in, the team boasts a 24-7 record. They were also +6.3 points better on the floor in the regular season. And although Curry may assume greater importance, Butler has been extremely effective. Without him, the Warriors’ flaws come to the surface.

Jimmy Butler’s hustle and game-reading acumen lead to steadiness. Likewise, his injury isolated Stephen Curry. But Butler wasn’t the only concern for the Warriors. In recent weeks, Brandin Podziemski displayed an ability to share the scoring load with his star teammates. Even though he isn’t fully fit.

Even before Butler suffered his injury, Podziemski was doubtful to even play in Game 2 because of an illness. He managed to brave through his fatigue, playing 14 minutes. But it was evident that the promising guard couldn’t perform to his desired level. It was like the Warriors were destined to hit a roadblock tonight.

But how far will these problems persist? From a visual alone, it’s hard to imagine Jimmy Butler playing the next game, although there is still hope. The Warriors will hope Brandin Podziemski recovers in time. But even if they have him back, compensating for Butler’s absence is nearly impossible.

If Butler does have a major injury, do you think the Warriors stand a chance against the pressuring allure of the Rockets? Let us know your views in the comments below.