The Golden State Warriors offense was always going to run into problems with Stephen Curry on the sidelines, with that proving exactly the case in a 117-93 Game 2 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.

With no player scoring more than Jonathan Kuminga’s 18 points, fans were left a little frustrated at the output of Jimmy Butler who didn’t exactly deliver without his fellow star available. It leaves the question of whether ‘Playoff Jimmy’ can arrive in time to lift the Warriors past the Timberwolves, or whether their playoff fate is sealed without Curry in the lineup.

Does Jimmy Butler have a mammoth scoring performance in him?

Butler was productive in Game 2 with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes, but he was far from the dominant force Golden State needed in order to overcome Curry’s absence and record another road win.

The 6x All-Star shot 6-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from 3-point range, while uncharacteristically missing two of his five free-throw attempts. Butler’s desire to get his teammates involved instead of hunting his own shot has been a common theme since he joined the Warriors in early February, yet it’s starting to become a negative as fans and analysts become increasingly concerned with his lack of scoring aggression.

For not the first time in recent months, Butler responded to the criticism by stating he wants to get his teammates comfortable, but that he’s also capable of scoring big himself when needed.

“If that time comes where your people that are saying whatever, supposed to score 40 or whatever the case may be. I’m capable of it. I can do it,” Butler said. “But I love making sure my guys are comfortable. Passing the ball to them.”

If Butler is indeed capable of 40-point performances, then we’re going to need to see it. The Warriors aren’t going to survive otherwise, with a surprise 33 combined points from Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis doing little to avoid a 24-point loss on Thursday.

Butler has certainly had moments where ‘Playoff Jimmy’ has rose to the surface, including in the regular season finale against the L.A. Clippers where he had 30 points and nine assists, along with the Play-In tournament game against the Memphis Grizzlies in which he recorded 38 points, seven rebounds and assists.

It’s not just a matter of when Butler can reproduce these type of performances, but if he can after admitting he’s still feeling the ill-effects of the pelvic contusion suffered in Game 2 of the first-round.

The Warriors need Butler’s heroics in Games 3 and 4 back on their home floor, and without them their season may be over before Curry even gets a chance to return from his hamstring injury.