Both members of the Golden State Warriors’ superstar backcourt duo are injured.
Steph Curry is expected to miss at least several weeks after suffering an oblique abdominal tear during Wednesday’s game.
Jimmy Butler continues to work his way back to the court after tearing his ACL last season, and should be able to play in January or February.
When Butler is able to return, Golden State will have to choose whether they want him to play rehab games with their G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, or return straight to Golden State.
Although Butler seems to have already made his decision.
“I’m going down to Santa Cruz to hoop. It may not be for long, but I’m going to play in Santa Cruz. I’m playing in a f****** game,” Butler told The Athletic.
“I’m definitely coming down there to play. So good luck to everybody. Y’all ain’t gonna get too many minutes out of me, but I’m definitely going down there. I want to hoop,” he added.
Butler was then asked whether he got his desire to play in Santa Cruz cleared with Mike Dunleavy Jr., the Warriors’ GM.
“I don’t got to clear s*** with nobody. I’m going. Me and Mike will fistfight. He’s gonna be like, ‘Jimmy, no.’ I’m gonna be like, ‘Mike, yes. I’m going to G League, baby!’ Y’all know where to find me. Santa Cruz, baby,” Butler responded.
Butler was clearly just kidding. Plus, he and Dunleavy Jr. were teammates on the Chicago Bulls for three seasons, so they don’t have a typical player-front office executive relationship.
Threat of violence aside, Dunleavy Jr. will probably appreciate how eager Butler is to return.
