Jimmy Butler III has appeared on the Golden State Warriors’ injury report ahead of their Saturday night matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. The star forward is dealing with back spasms and is listed as questionable just a day before tip-off.
Since being traded from the Miami Heat, Butler has been instrumental in the Warriors’ resurgence. Despite initial skepticism about the deal, Golden State has gone 7-1 with Butler in the lineup, addressing key weaknesses on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, Butler provides a strong presence on the wing, capable of guarding elite opponents—a role previously held by Andrew Wiggins before he was traded. Offensively, his ability to attack the rim has helped relieve some of the scoring burden on Stephen Curry, particularly as the Warriors have struggled with perimeter shooting in recent years. In just eight games, Butler has already attempted 60 free throws, giving the team another avenue for scoring beyond Curry’s three-point shooting.
Even with Butler having an off night on Thursday—scoring just five points on 1-for-7 shooting—Curry stepped up with a 56-point explosion, including 12 three-pointers, leading the Warriors to a 121-115 victory over the Orlando Magic.
If Butler is unable to play on Saturday, Golden State will still be favored to win against a struggling 76ers squad. Philadelphia, which recently ruled out Joel Embiid for the remainder of the season, has been in free fall and is at risk of missing the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
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