Is Warriors star Jimmy Butler playing tonight? Latest update ahead of Monday's Game 4 vs. Rockets

Matthew Wadleigh

Is Warriors star Jimmy Butler playing tonight? Latest update ahead of Monday's Game 4 vs. Rockets image

The No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors have a 2-1 lead over the Houston Rockets in the first round series of the Western Conference playoffs. 

The Warriors took Games 1 and 3, with the Rockets winning Game 2, so it has been a back-and-forth battle thus far. However, the Warriors saw Jimmy Butler leave Game 2 early with an injury that was later revealed to be a deep glute contusion

As a result, Butler missed all of Game 3, and his status for Game 4 is up in the air. In Game 3 on Saturday night, it didn't matter much as Stephen Curry exploded with 36 points to lead Golden State to the 104-93 win. 

Will Butler play in Game 4? Here's the latest on his availability.

MORE: Bucks' Damian Lillard gets worst injury update from NBA insider

Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight?

Butler was originally officially listed as questionable for Game 4.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic gave a key update on Butler's potential status after Game 3.

"Jimmy Butler worked out on the practice court pregame, per source. Medical team held him out to give body two more days to heal, but there’s a belief he will be back for Game 4 on Monday night with the Warriors searching for 3-1 series lead over the Rockets."

Slater reporting that there is a "belief" Butler will be ready for Game 4 is a strong use of his words that likely hints at his progression, so take that as you will. 

Hours before the game, Chris Haynes revealed Butler will play in Game 4. 

The Rockets and Warriors play in Game 4 on Monday at 7:00 PM PST in California before the series returns to Houston. 

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Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.