Injured Jimmy Butler to Miss Suns vs Warriors Game
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will miss the upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns due to lower back soreness. Butler was initially listed as questionable on the injury report. He played for 14 minutes on Tuesday night but exited the game early, contributing two points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Precautionary Measures by Warriors Staff
This marks the first of a back-to-back schedule for the Warriors. The coaching staff, led by Steve Kerr, opted for a precautionary approach given their tight schedule. Kerr emphasized the team’s challenging itinerary: “We have seven games in 12 days across five cities, which isn’t easy.”
Kerr also noted the importance of monitoring player fatigue. He mentioned, “We’re collaborating with our performance team to track how fatigued the players are, their recovery times, and how fast they run.”
Current Team Status
- Golden State leads Phoenix by over 20 points at the time of publication.
- Before this game, Butler averaged 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting nearly 50% from the field.
Phoenix Suns’ Challenge
The Suns were looking to extend their winning streak to three games. Phoenix head coach Jordan Ott acknowledged the difficulty of facing the Warriors, particularly without Butler. “Our overall communication will be tested,” he stated before the game.
Ott highlighted the need for strong defensive plays to handle the Warriors’ transition game, aiming to challenge the team’s system execution. “When they get going, they are effective in transition, both off defensive rebounds and our makes,” he added.
Upcoming Games
- After tonight’s game, Phoenix will return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
- Golden State will travel to play against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
