When Jimmy Butler took a brutal fall in Game 2 of the Golden State Warriors’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, it wasn’t just Butler’s hip that hit the floor—it was also the Warriors’ playoff hopes. Diagnosed with a pelvic contusion after a midair collision with Rockets guard Amen Thompson, Butler’s status immediately became the most closely watched storyline of the series. And now, with Game 4 breathing down their necks, Golden State is still stuck playing the NBA’s least fun mini-game: Is Jimmy playing or not?

But sure, no pressure, right? It’s not like the Warriors are missing Jimmy Butler — the same Jimmy Butler who was crucial to their post-deadline surge, lifting them from the 11th seed all the way to 7th. No big deal that he’s the kind of player who can single-handedly flip a series, infamously known for morphing into “Playoff Jimmy” when it matters most. They pulled off Game 3 without him, sure, but seriously — they’re not about to try and finish this series without Butler, right?

An MRI confirmed the contusion but, thank the basketball gods, ruled out any fractures or structural damage. Here’s the thing, though: Butler was downgraded for Game 3—initially listed as questionable, and even then the Warriors managed a gritty 104–93 win without him to grab a 2–1 series lead. Does anyone really want to roll those dice again?

Golden State Warriors Injury Report – Will Jimmy Butler play in Game 4 vs the Rockets?

On paper, Butler is officially listed as questionable for Game 4. Seriously, how many ways can you say “maybe” before it loses all meaning? In real life, though? He’s grinding with the training staff like a man on a mission… but whether that mission ends with him storming back onto the court is still a toss-up.

According to Shams, Butler was severely restricted in his mobility and was reportedly dealing with swelling. And if you need a refresher on how weird this all is, let’s rewind a little, because during Game 3, Jimmy wasn’t exactly looking like someone battling a painful pelvic injury.

Nope, he was spotted moving around on the bench like it was a Saturday night at the club. Butler wasn’t just sitting quietly. He was hopping up during big plays, throwing up hand signals, and getting hyped like the ultimate hype man. Suddenly, the same guy, ruled physically unable to play, had more energy than half the fans.

Now, pelvic contusions are no joke. Even if Butler suits up, would he really be Jimmy Butler? Or just a slightly crankier, slower-moving decoy version, hobbling up and down the court? It’s a fair question, and you can bet the Warriors are quietly hoping behind the scenes that “club Jimmy” somehow turns into “playoff Jimmy” by Game 4.

Since Butler landed in Golden State, he’s been less of a “nice addition” and more of a full-blown basketball earthquake. Golden State’s push to stay competitive wasn’t a fluke. It happened because Butler showed up, threw on a jersey, and started wrecking opposing game plans like it was personal.

Need someone to slow the tempo? Butler’s your guy. Need a clutch bucket with two seconds on the shot clock? Hello, Jimmy. Need a little old-school trash talk just to set the tone? He’s already doing it. And defensively? Forget about it. Butler’s physicality, switchability, and general “I might fight you and then steal the ball” energy has been a nightmare for every team unlucky enough to cross his path.

But with Butler still fighting through that injury, and questionable to play, the Warriors are caught in the crossfire. Can Curry keep riding the nostalgia wave without him? Can Jonathan Kuminga hold the defense together by replacing Butler yet again? Maybe. But wouldn’t you rather have Butler out there flipping the script? And make no mistake, Butler wants to play the way he’s been cheering his team up on the sidelines and on social media. That man would duct-tape his hip back together if they let him. The question is whether the Warriors’ medical team will play hero… or bodyguard.

Without him, the Warriors are… fine. With him, they’re dangerous. Game 4 is less than 24 hours away, and the Warriors have two wildly different realities staring them in the face: A Butler comeback that could break Houston’s spirit for good. Or another night of white-knuckle survival without their postseason secret weapon.

Jimmy Butler’s injury isn’t just a storyline, it’s the storyline. If he plays, the Warriors can punch their ticket to the next round a lot sooner than expected. If he doesn’t? Well, better lace up tight, because things are about to get spicy in Game 4. Stay tuned. Because with Butler, the only thing you can predict… is chaos.