Jimmy Butler Injury Update: Latest Timeline, Impact on Heat Season, and What Fans Should Expect

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III left Tuesday night’s 120-101 win over the Phoenix Suns with right lower-back soreness and was ruled out for the remainder of the game after halftime. The six-time All-Star was a late addition to the team’s injury report earlier in the day and entered Chase Center listed as questionable on the official 5:30 p.m. ET league report. Butler started but logged only 14 minutes, finishing with two points on 1-for-5 shooting, four rebounds and two assists while repeatedly applying a heating pad to his back during timeouts. Why this matters for the Warriors • Short turnaround: Golden State travels to Sacramento for the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday. Steve Kerr traditionally errs on the side of caution with veterans, so Butler’s status for Kings-Warriors will likely hinge on how his back responds overnight. • Depth impact: If Butler sits, expect Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga to absorb the bulk of the wing minutes, with Andrew Wiggins sliding to primary on-ball defensive assignments. • Scheduling crunch: After the Kings, the Warriors face four games in seven days, including marquee matchups with the Nuggets and Lakers. Managing Butler’s workload now could prevent a lingering back issue in a condensed stretch. Fantasy, betting and DFS angle • Daily fantasy players should monitor Golden State’s 2:30 p.m. ET injury report on Wednesday; Moody becomes a salary-saving value if Butler is scratched. • Bettors should watch the point spread: the Warriors moved from ‑5.5 to ‑8.0 shortly after Butler was ruled out Tuesday, indicating oddsmakers remain confident in Golden State’s depth. • Season-long fantasy managers may want to stash Moody or Brandin Podziemski as short-term waiver adds if Butler misses multiple contests. What’s next in Butler’s recovery timeline 1. Re-evaluation at Wednesday morning shootaround. 2. Official game-status designation released 90 minutes before tip-off in Sacramento. 3. If pain persists, Butler could receive imaging and be held out until the weekend. Lower-back soreness typically resolves within a few days with treatment, but setbacks are common if inflammation lingers. Bottom line The early exit appears precautionary, yet “Jimmy Butler injury update” will remain the hottest search term around the Bay Area until the Warriors issue their next report. Check back for live updates on his playing status, but for now, Butler should be considered truly questionable for Wednesday and day-to-day beyond that.