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The Golden State Warriors took a convincing 2-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, enjoying a 36-point, nine-assist, and seven-rebound outing from Stephen Curry.
With a boost from the home crowd, the Warriors didn't need one of their best players, Jimmy Butler, to get the win. Butler missed the game with a pelvis injury after taking a hard fall in Game 2, and his status for Game 4 remains in doubt, although he was able to impact the game without playing.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (center) applauds from the bench against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Butler is known for his defense and competitiveness more than anything else, but he is one of the smartest players in the NBA and can break down opposing teams on both ends of the floor.
Even from the bench, Butler gave the Warriors an advantage.
"First, he had a fantastic coat on," joked Steve Kerr. "He's just so smart. He reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala, incredible basketball IQ and the ability to communicate what he's seeing to see his teammates from the bench, I thought Jimmy was really important for us in that regard. He was talking to guys throughout the game."
Iguodala won titles with the Dubs in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He won Finals MVP for his defense on LeBron James in '15, and returned to the Warriors in '22 after two seasons with the Miami Heat. By then, he was only playing 19 minutes a game in 31 appearances and was more of an extra coach.
While Butler still has plenty of gas in the tank and is an All-Star caliber player when healthy, his role as a veteran leader has given the Warriors an extra advantage, and he will contribute to winning even after his prime.
Check out the Inside the Warriors homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
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With a boost from the home crowd, the Warriors didn't need one of their best players, Jimmy Butler, to get the win. Butler missed the game with a pelvis injury after taking a hard fall in Game 2, and his status for Game 4 remains in doubt, although he was able to impact the game without playing.
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Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (center) applauds from the bench against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Butler is known for his defense and competitiveness more than anything else, but he is one of the smartest players in the NBA and can break down opposing teams on both ends of the floor.
Even from the bench, Butler gave the Warriors an advantage.
"First, he had a fantastic coat on," joked Steve Kerr. "He's just so smart. He reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala, incredible basketball IQ and the ability to communicate what he's seeing to see his teammates from the bench, I thought Jimmy was really important for us in that regard. He was talking to guys throughout the game."
Iguodala won titles with the Dubs in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He won Finals MVP for his defense on LeBron James in '15, and returned to the Warriors in '22 after two seasons with the Miami Heat. By then, he was only playing 19 minutes a game in 31 appearances and was more of an extra coach.
While Butler still has plenty of gas in the tank and is an All-Star caliber player when healthy, his role as a veteran leader has given the Warriors an extra advantage, and he will contribute to winning even after his prime.
Check out the Inside the Warriors homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Warriors Send 2-Word Message After Pivotal Game 3 Win Over Rockets
Related: Kendrick Perkins Calls on Warriors to Make Key Lineup Decision Against Rockets
Related: Kendrick Perkins Calls on Warriors to Make Key Lineup Decision Against Rockets
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