The Warriors have been on fire since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They have won seven of their last eight games and jumped all the way to the seventh seed in the West standings. Hoping to continue this momentum and increase the gap between them and the teams behind, they will go head-to-head against the Sixers tonight. But that could prove to be a difficult challenge for the Bay Area franchise because they will be playing without Butler for the first time since the trade.

Yes, Jimmy will not suit up tonight. The reason? Back spasms. This is Butler’s first missed game since joining the Warriors. As great as he has been for them, he was struggling to find his rhythm in the last two games, scoring only 11 points on an underwhelming four of fifteen shooting. Maybe his injured back played a part in that.

Of course, Butler’s absence is a huge blow to the team as he has embraced the role of that second superstar alongside Stephen Curry, averaging 16.4 points and nearly six rebounds. Even Steve Kerr has talked about how the six-time All-Star’s addition has solved a major problem for them, “I think that’s a big reason for the trade is to, you know, help Steph, help alleviate some of that pressure. Jimmy’s a guy who gets to the line quite a bit, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, so the possession tends to be very stable when he has the ball in his hands. And I imagine that Jimmy is going to be really important for us, both, you know, with Steph next to him and when Steph’s off the floor.”

Sure enough, for the first time in years, Kerr is comfortable sending Steph to the bench for rest and not worrying about who will carry the offensive load in the meantime. “Jimmy gives us a little confidence that we needed.” He added. But Butler will not be there to help the team tonight. In his absence, Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski are likely to see an increase in minutes. Even without Jimmy, the Warriors will fancy their chances of winning because the Sixers are also without their best player!

Can Stephen Curry carry the Warriors to victory against a Joel Embiid-less Sixers team?

Earlier this week, the City of Brotherly Love received shocking news. Looks like Embiid’s season is officially over—his lingering knee injury has shut him down for good. Of course, the knee has been bothering him ever since he tore his meniscus last year, ironically during a game against the Warriors when Jonathan Kuminga fell on his leg. Despite trying everything, even taking injections to alleviate the pain and play through it, Joel could not continue this season. And that means trouble for the Sixers, who are already having a terrible year, stuck at the twelfth seed in the East.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry is coming off a historic season-high 56-point game against the Magic. And his energy will be high as he takes the floor tonight in Philadelphia. So, even though Butler is not available due to injury woes, the Warriors have a legitimate shot at coming out with a victory and extending their winning streak to six games. Do you think they can get the job done?