Paul Pierce has definitive statement over Jimmy Butler situation for Warriors, ‘I’ve had that injury before…’

Jimmy Butler landed hard on the court in the first quarter and was forced to exit the game. He did not return.

While Steve Kerr said that Butler told him he would be fine, the Warriors star underwent a MRI on the injury.

Shams Charania provided an update on Jimmy Butler’s health after the scan, posting via X: “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.

He added: “This is best case because MRI showed Butler avoided any fracture or structural damage.”

Paul Pierce fears for Golden State Warriors

It is possible based on the update that Jimmy Butler could miss Game 3, with a view to returning afterwards. Although given Butler’s ultra-competitive status, you cannot rule anything out.

Steve Kerr was quoted via Ohm Youngmisuk: “I think there’s a chance he plays.”

Speaking before Kerr’s dose of optimism, former NBA star Paul Pierce believes that the Warriors’ chances of winning the NBA championship have taken a serious hit, speaking from experience after suffering in similar circumstances during his career.

Pierce warns that even if Butler returns, this is an injury that will impede him, potentially for the rest of the NBA Playoffs.

He told Speak: “If he has to miss time, it’s over, if he comes back it won’t be 100 per cent.

“I know that fall, I’ve had that injury before, it’s going to take a couple of weeks, I didn’t miss no time but it’s a two-week thing before you even get back to feeling like your natural self. It slows you down. At this stage in the playoffs, it’s going to be sore for quite a minute.

“He may play through it, but he won’t be the Jimmy Butler that they need to get them deep into the playoffs.”

‘I’m not sure he can get through’

Former Boston Celtics superstar Paul Pierce believes the physical demands of the NBA Playoffs will present too much of a challenge for a banged-up Jimmy Butler, with the Golden State Warriors relying on him to support Stephen Curry.

Pierce went on to say he now considers the Warriors’ window ‘closed’, due to the Butler injury.

“If Jimmy does come back less than 100 per cent that’s still not great, you will be playing with an injury, and to say, ‘hey we are trying to get to a NBA Finals and this is going to be a two month thing where I’m not going to really heal’, I’m not sure he can get through that.

“I do believe the window is closed for the Warriors, even if he comes back because he won’t be 100 per cent.

“It’s devastating. Jimmy Butler’s tough, we know if he can come back in that game, he’s coming back. Jimmy is the type of guy that says I don’t need MRI, I’m good.”