Best first-round NBA playoff matchups The For The Hoops crew discuss the most exciting first-round NBA playoff series, including Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Rockets vs. Warriors. The Golden State Warriors are hoping two days of rest will enable guard Jimmy Butler to return to the lineup for Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Butler left Wednesday’s game late in the first quarter and did not return after being undercut on a rebound attempt and landing hard on his tailbone. After the foul by Houston’s Amen Thompson, Butler got up gingerly and limped to the free throw line. He converted one of two foul shots, then left the game and headed straight to the locker room. He’s scheduled to have an MRI on Thursday. “Hopefully, he’s OK,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “We’ll see. … Jimmy always says he’s going to be fine. But we have to wait and see with the MRI.” Jimmy Butler status will impact Game 3 Butler was acquired in February from the Miami Heat to give the Warriors a veteran presence with playoff experience, as well as take some of the scoring pressure off Stephen Curry. However, Kerr said that if Butler is ruled out for Game 3, “we’ll have to rethink everything.” The series, tied at one game apiece, resumes on Saturday in San Francisco JEFF ZILLGITT: Rockets win football game on basketball court, even series The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Latest news, leaks, trades, updates ahead of Round 1 Live updates, rumors impacting first-round picks