The world was left hanging in suspense, waiting for something on Jimmy Butler. Absolutely anything- just to put the Dub Nation out of their misery. And then came Steve Kerr, like their knight in shining armor. His news might not be the ideal world narrative that the Warriors fans would’ve hoped for, but it’s better than his situation from the last game.

Their win without him was mostly ’cause of Stephen Curry- well, need to say more? Jimmy Butler would’ve made it easier for sure. But the game 3 win would’ve given coach Kerr some belief that his team can take it over the line in their go-to point getter’s absence. Ahead of Game 4, though, the Golden State HC has confirmed that Jimmy’s been upgraded to questionable.

A very back-and-forth, topsy-turvy series has led to the 4th game of the tie, and the second at the Chase. But the 8th minute of Game 2 saw Jimmy Butler leave with an injury that was later revealed to be a deep glute contusion. It was so bad that Butler was walking worryingly after the game. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps even went as far as to say, “It’s probably like a hundred yard walk and he was going like 0.1 mile an hour.”

But Kerr had fantastic news for the Dub Nation while on call with the press. “I haven’t seen him today but he’s been with (head trainer Rick Celebrini) and the training staff. I would just say he’s still questionable.” Their season turned around when Buckets rolled around into town in February. At one point they were 11th, struggling to get into the top 10. But fast forward to end-April, and they’re 2-1 clear of #2 seed Houston Rockets.

Steve Kerr’s side look to make get one step closer to semis against Rockets

It’s understandable for the Warriors to worry with Jimmy Butler out. What if past form was re-established? What if they expose vulnerabilities they didn’t even know existed? Are they at risk of a squad overhaul in case of an early exit? The answer to all of them was a big fat NO. They still won Game 3 104-93. And starlet Brandin Podziemski finds himself at the center of a hungry, balanced group of ballers.

“I think last night helps, given the situation, the magnitude of the game,” Podziemski said about the team’s confidence without Butler. “But we won against the Rockets two times without Steph this year. We won once without him and Draymond, so we’re confident with any kind of group we have out there. Obviously it’s the playoffs, so it’s different but anybody that rolls out there, the five that’s out there or whoever plays, we got confidence that we can win.”

Jonathan Kuminga’s presence finally came of use for Kerr. He admitted before of the inability to play both JK and Butler in the same lineup. But with Butler out injuried, it put JK’s opportunity to prove himself on a silver platter. He didn’t really set the world on fire, but showed his ability to be a good rotational option for the Warriors alongwith Gary Payton II.

Steve Kerr must be ecstatic seeing how far his squad has progressed. Game 3 proved their adaptability as a team without their main point scorer. What’s next? The chance to make it 3-1, and continue the Dub Nation bandwagon to the WCF finals. Do you think they have the quality to go all the way?