Amid 2-1 Deficit, Jimmy Butler Vows to Put on ‘Big Boy Pants’ in Stephen Curry’s Absence

Jimmy Butler emphasizes need for Warriors to take a win without Stephen Curry as he recovers from his hamstring strain.

Amid 2-1 Deficit, Jimmy Butler Vows to Put on ‘Big Boy Pants’ in Stephen Curry’s Absence

Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry

The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken a 2-1 lead against Golden State in the second round of the playoffs. With Stephen Curry missing two games, the Wolves have capitalized on his absence and taken back home-court advantage. Despite some valiant efforts by Jimmy Butler, he has not received the offensive support he needs to seal the series. It is clear that the Warriors need more firepower to win.

Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga carried the bulk of the scoring load for the Warriors in game 3. Both swingmen tallied over 30 points each as the Warriors attempted to hold off Minnesota at Chase Center. However, their teammates did not provide the requisite support. Despite Kumina and Butler’s 63 combined points, the rest of the team could not muster enough points to thwart Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 36 points and sealed the highlight of the playoffs with a poster dunk over Kevon Looney. He was provided with able support from former Knick Julius Randle, who tallied a 24-point triple-double. Randle’s impact was particularly felt as a playmaker as he dished 12 dimes to his teammates. Randle and Naz Reid’s physicality helped their frontcourt outplay Draymond Green on the other end.

Green found himself off the court after racking up six fouls late in the fourth quarter. His antics in this year’s playoffs have cost the team valuable momentum at various points. Perhaps Butler wanted to send him a subtle message, speaking as he did to reporters in the media availability. The 35-year-old spoke in no uncertain terms about the task that the Warriors face without Stephen Curry in action:

It’s always get a win. If we don’t win, we damn sure don’t have to worry about getting Steph back this year. We gotta put our big boy pants on and go out there and compete at a high level and get this one on Monday. And then we can work out the next one after that. But, you know, (I’ll) get some rest, recover, (play some) dominoes, coffee, kids.

Jimmy Butler talked about taking a win off the Timberwolves in Stephen Curry’s absence

Jimmy Butler has to turn the clock back as Stephen Curry awaits clearance

Every NBA fan knows that the Warriors don’t have a prayer to win this year’s championship without their centerpiece. In Curry’s absence, the Wolves can key in on Butler and make the rest of the Warriors beat him. Brandin Podziemski has thus far been topsy-turvy as a shooter. Draymond Green already has his hands full on defense, dealing with Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert and Randle.

Jimmy Butler (Image Via The Golden State of Mind)
Jimmy Butler (Image Via The Golden State of Mind)

While Buddy Hield has been relatively good in the past few games, he doesn’t have the pace or the skill to be a consistent 20-point scorer. Jonathan Kuminga is the Warriors’ X-factor, but he also has limitations that cap how effective he can be. Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Gary Payton II are rotation players, at best.

The only way that the Warriors can scrap and win a game in Curry’s absence is if Butler outplays Edwards. The Wolves star has received heady praise from all quarters for his poise and play. He also has a chip on his shoulder with Steve Kerr, and has something to prove.

Despite an ineffective game 1, Edwards has had the measure of his opposite number. Butler needs to provide one last hurrah and draw from what motivated him against the Bucks in the 2023 NBA playoffs, or against the Lakers in the NBA bubble.

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