Why isn’t Jimmy Butler playing for the Warriors against the Rockets in Game 3?

The Golden State Warriors are without Jimmy Butler for Saturday evening’s Game 3 match-up against the Houston Rockets.

The 35-year-old NBA superstar joined the Warriors in a mid-season trade after falling out with the Miami Heat front office. Butler brings certain off-court considerations but his gameday production remains impressive.

Butler has starred in Steph Curry’s absence in recent weeks but he is not available for the Warriors on Saturday. One hour before kickoff it was reported that Butler would not play due to a left pelvic contusion, although he did take some part in the pregame warm-up.

Jonathan Kuminga starts in Butler’s place, with Quinten Post also coming in to the starting five.

Butler’s injury was picked up in Thursday’s Game 2 loss for the Warriors. The Rockets are playing a very physical style in this series and Golden State may have been wary of putting out a half-fit Butler. All indications suggest that the injury is not a serious one and he looks set to return for Game 4 on Monday (10pm ET, 7pm PT) at the Warriors’ Chase Center.

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