The Golden State Warriors’ playoff hopes could be in jeopardy after star Jimmy Butler suffered a pelvis contusion during Wednesday night’s Game 2 loss to the Houston Rockets. The injury occurred after Butler took a hard fall while attempting to grab a rebound late in the first quarter. Butler was undercut by Rockets’ guard Amen Thompson, leading to a painful landing. Although Butler remained in the game briefly, he was later ruled out and did not return.

Agent’s Cryptic Message

Despite the concerning nature of the injury, there may be a silver lining, as Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, shared a cryptic message that provided some hope. Marc Spears, an NBA insider, relayed the message during an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” stating that Lee texted him: “Pray for the bear.” Spears believes the text suggests some optimism about Butler’s condition, even though the exact meaning remains unclear.

The 35-year-old forward is set to undergo an MRI on Thursday to further assess the extent of the injury. The Warriors and their fans are eagerly awaiting the results as Butler’s status for Game 3 on Saturday remains uncertain.

Similar Injury History

Butler has dealt with similar injuries in the past. During the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs, while playing for the Miami Heat, he sustained a pelvis contusion but powered through to deliver some of the best performances of his career, including a 56-point Game 4 and 42-point Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat went on to reach the NBA Finals that year, sparking hope among Warriors fans that Butler could once again defy the odds.

What’s Next for the Warriors?

With Game 3 scheduled for Saturday, and Game 4 on Monday, the Warriors will be closely monitoring Butler’s health. If the MRI results show significant damage, the team may face an uphill battle without their star forward.

Fans are holding their breath as they await news on Butler’s condition, hoping for a quick recovery and continued contributions from the veteran in the postseason.