The Golden State Warriors returned to the win column on Saturday, topping the New Orleans Pelicans 104-96 in their first game since Stephen Curry went down with an injury against the Houston Rockets. Without Curry, who is sidelined by a left quadriceps contusion, the Warriors needed someone to step up, and Jimmy Butler did just that.

Butler led the charge with 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, lifting Golden State back above the .500 mark. However, his night wasn’t without a scare.

Midway through the first half, he absorbed a serious hit under the basket and fell hard – briefly grimacing in pain as he hit the floor.

He remained in the game, however, and delivered a near triple-double, helping steer the Warriors through a tough, disjointed first half of poor three-point shooting and rough offensive rhythm.

After the game, when asked about the fall, Butler told ESPN’s Anthony Slater:

“It’s all good. Be alright. Got a lot of cushioning back there. Straight [expletive]. … I am (hurting). I was. I’ll be fine. Got a day, two days to recover. Get back into it.”

With Curry sidelined, Golden State now pins hopes on Butler to stay healthy and steady the ship. Since joining the Warriors from the Miami Heat late in the 2024-25 season, he has been viewed as a key veteran presence, capable of leading the team to deep playoff runs. This season, Butler is averaging 20.2 points (52.7% FG), 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, with the Warriors now improving their record 11-10.

As the Warriors monitor Butler’s status in the coming days, they prepare to welcome the top-seed Oklahoma City Thunder (19-1) on Tuesday. While they enter the game as underdogs, the Warriors’ chances against the defending champions will look significantly stronger if Butler is cleared to play.