Jimmy Butler III faced significant challenges during the NBA playoffs, including a serious injury from Round 1 and illness prior to Game 4. His struggles were evident in the Warriors' Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he managed only 17 points. Coach Steve Kerr highlighted how Butler's injury compromised his performance throughout the series. Averaging 19.2 points, Butler's effectiveness dipped sharply without star teammate Steph Curry, scoring over 20 points in only one of the final four games after Curry's injury.
We're not going to use anything as an excuse, Butler said. The snot in his nostrils, however, served only as further evidence to a case that had been building by his play on the court for much of this Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Butler downplayed the impact of the injury, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, He was definitely compromised all series. I think the injury in Houston definitely impacted him.
In four games since Curry strained his left hamstring, Butler scored more than 20 points only once when he dropped 33 in Game 3, which was also the closest the Warriors came to pulling out a win at less than full strength.
Butler attempted 26 shots in that game plus another nine from the free-throw line but failed to get off as many tries between Games 4 and 5, going a combined 9-of-20 for 34 points.
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