During Saturday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Jimmy Butler experienced a worrying fall in the second quarter. After a brief moment on the court, he managed to get back on his feet and continued to play, finishing the night with impressive stats: 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds.
“It’s all good,” Butler reassured the media during a post-game press conference. “Be alright. Got a lot of cushioning back there. Straight ass. That’s what it was.”
Butler’s fall, which saw him land heavily on his side, thankfully spared his extremities—critical body parts for any NBA player. This incident echoed a previous fall that caused him to suffer lower back bruising, sidelining him during the Warriors’ playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Nevertheless, he is determined to push through this discomfort.
“I am (hurting),” Butler admitted. “I was. I’ll be fine. Got a day, two days to recover. Get back into it.” Despite expressing that “everything” hurt during a timeout, Butler’s resilience stands out, showing a willingness to play through pain that might keep other veteran players on the bench for precautionary measures.
The Warriors, currently managing their own roster challenges, are also keen on maintaining player health, especially with star player Steph Curry still sidelined due to a right quad contusion sustained in a game against the Houston Rockets on November 26. This situation underscores the delicate balance teams must navigate between player safety and competitive performance in the high-stakes environment of the NBA.