Warriors’ Survival Hinges on Banged-Up Butler

The Golden State Warriors enter Wednesday’s elimination Game 5 against the Timberwolves-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>Minnesota Timberwolves with their season hanging by a thread. Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Jimmy Butler remains compromised by a lingering hip injury and a recent illness that sapped his energy in Game 4. “Jimmy was under the weather last night—it definitely impacted him,” Kerr admitted, though he emphasized Butler’s track record of playoff heroics:cite[3]:cite[5]. The 35-year-old forward managed just 14 points on nine shots in Monday’s loss, a stark contrast to his 33-point explosion in Game 3.

Curry’s Absence Exposes Offensive Gaps

Golden State’s struggles intensified with Stephen Curry sidelined for a fourth straight game due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The two-time MVP’s absence has left a 22.6-point postseason scoring void and disrupted the Warriors’ signature motion offense:cite[8]:cite[9]. Minnesota capitalized on this vulnerability in Game 4, holding Golden State to 8-of-27 shooting from deep while Anthony Edwards (30 points) and Julius Randle (31 points) powered a decisive 17-0 third-quarter run:cite[2]:cite[6].

Kuminga Emerges as X-Factor

With Curry unavailable, Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as an unlikely sparkplug off the bench. The 22-year-old forward followed his 30-point Game 3 performance with 23 points in Game 4, attacking the rim relentlessly and drawing 12 free throws:cite[6]:cite[9]. “JK played one of the best games of his life,” Kerr said, signaling increased reliance on the third-year pro’s athleticism to offset Butler’s physical limitations:cite[9].

Timberwolves Poised to Clinch at Home

Minnesota returns to Target Center riding momentum from back-to-back 30-point games by Edwards, who’s averaging 27.6 points this postseason:cite[4]:cite[10]. The Wolves’ defensive strategy—neutralizing Golden State’s perimeter threats while exploiting mismatches in transition—has held the Warriors below 30% from three-point range in the series:cite[6]:cite[10]. Coach Chris Finch’s squad aims to close out its first conference finals berth since 2004 by maintaining physicality against a depleted opponent.

Butler’s Legacy Moment Awaits

Acquired in February for his playoff pedigree, Butler now faces the ultimate test. The six-time All-Star averaged 22.4 points this postseason before his health setbacks, but Golden State needs vintage “Playoff Jimmy” to force a Game 6:cite[1]:cite[7]. Kerr hinted at tactical adjustments to free Butler from Minnesota’s defensive traps, potentially staggering his minutes with Kuminga’s energetic bursts:cite[5]:cite[9]. As Draymond Green bluntly stated: “We don’t need Superman—we need 15 guys locked in”:cite[8].