Wed Dec 03 03:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Warriors Facing Uphill Battle Against Thunder as Injuries Mount
SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors are facing a significant challenge as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, with key players battling injuries and their quest to escape mediocrity facing a major hurdle.
Following a hard fall in Saturday’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, forward Jimmy Butler III is listed as “questionable” with a left gluteal contusion, leaving his availability for the crucial game in doubt. Butler’s discomfort was evident as he struggled to move on Monday, offering a blunt assessment of his condition: “You see how I’m walking.”
This injury adds to the Warriors’ woes, as star point guard Stephen Curry is already sidelined with a left quad contusion sustained last week. Curry is expected to miss at least two more games, further diminishing Golden State’s offensive firepower.
“He didn’t practice today,” coach Steve Kerr said of Butler. “He feels like he’ll be able to play [Tuesday], but he was pretty sore from that spill he took.”
Despite injuries to Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder come to town with a record of 20 wins and 1 loss.
The Warriors had hoped to capitalize on their five-game homestand to build momentum, but have split the first four games. A victory against the league-leading Thunder is now crucial to secure a winning record on the homestand, but doing so without Curry and potentially Butler will be a tough task. Butler is Golden State’s second-leading scorer, averaging 20.2 points per game, and his offensive role increases significantly in Curry’s absence.
Adding to the injury concerns, Draymond Green is listed as “probable” while playing through a sprained right foot, and Al Horford is out with sciatic nerve irritation. Despite the injuries, the team is hopeful about reinforcements, with Seth Curry signing on Monday, and De’Anthony Melton expected to be available during the road trip.
“We’ll see how much time it takes, but we’re excited to get him back,” Kerr said of Melton. “He’s a two-way player, he’s really good fundamentally in terms of taking care of the ball and decision-making. I say it all the time it’s a decision-making sport, and De’Anthony is a guy who makes really good decisions at both ends.”
While new additions may provide some relief, the Warriors’ pursuit of consistent success continues to be hampered by injuries. Whether Butler will be able to push through his injury remains to be seen, but his presence on the court, even if compromised, could be crucial for Golden State’s chances against the formidable Thunder.
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