NBA fans got a Jimmy Butler injury update on Thursday night. Shams Charania reported that Butler suffered a deep glute muscle contusion and he could be at risk of missing Game 3. The fact that there is no major damage is positive news for the Warriors, but if Butler even misses one game, the Warriors will sorely miss him. Butler’s deep glute muscle contusion does present an interesting opportunity for one player however. Jonathan Kuminga may have a chance at reclaiming his old spot in the Warriors lineup if he can step up while Butler is limited or absent.
Butler’s Deep Glute Muscle Contusion An Opportunity For Kuminga
The Impact of Butler’s Injury
Golden State’s Jimmy Butler has been diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion and his status for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets is in serious jeopardy, league sources tell ESPN. This is best case because MRI showed Butler avoided any fracture or structural damage. pic.twitter.com/nTEjv4QKp7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 25, 2025
It seems like the Warriors may have dodged a bullet with the most recent Butler injury update. Charania is reporting that their is no fracture or structural damage as a result of Butler’s big fall in Game 2. Butler is however in danger of missing Saturday’s Game 3, and that could mean big trouble for the Warriors.
Without him, they failed to even score 100 points against the Rockets, and their offense looked stagnant and undermanned. If Butler’s deep glute muscle contusion causes him to miss a game or two, the Warriors are going to need to find offensive production and defensive contributions from elsewhere. That’s where Kuminga comes in.
Kuminga’s Fall From Grace
Kuminga has pretty much fallen completely out of the rotation. Even though he finished the season as the team’s third leading scorer, the Warriors’ coaching staff has been benching him over the last few games of the season and playoffs. Kuminga’s lack of basketball IQ and defensive instinct has landed him in the doghouse despite showing tons of promise on the offensive end.
Kuminga did get some run during Game 2. After Butler and Brandin Podziemski went out, he got playing time but looked rusty and a bit out of sorts. He ended up with 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting with three rebounds and two assists. It was Kuminga’s first appearance since April 11 against the Trail Blazers. Although he wasn’t his best self in his return to the lineup, the Warriors may be forced to use Kuminga again while Butler recovers.
An Opportunity Arises
Butler’s deep glute muscle contusion could be a blessing in disguise for Kuminga. The Warriors are going to need more size and scoring if Butler misses time. Kuminga is the obvious choice to step back into the lineup. After all, he averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds a game this season. If Kuminga does get the opportunity, he needs to take advantage of it.
If Kuminga can regain his confidence and pick up his intensity, he could be a real asset for the Warriors in their series against the Rockets. The Warriors could use his point of attack defense and rebounding on the defensive end. They are severely undersized against the Rockets two-big man lineup and Kuminga could help them.
In the end, it may be up to Kuminga. If he can lock in on defense and provide sparks of smart offensive playmaking, the Warriors’ coaching staff will be forced to play him. With Butler potentially missing time they may be forced to play him regardless.
Photo credit: © Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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