Butler's Return Helps Warriors Edge Rockets and Take Series Lead

On April 29, 2025, Beijing time, the Warriors defeated the Rockets 109-106 in a close game, taking a 3-1 lead in the series and getting the series point. In this game, Jimmy Butler made a comeback. He played 39 minutes, going 7-for-12 from the field and 12-for-12 from the free-throw line, scoring 27 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists. He made all 5 crucial free throws in the final moments, helping the team seal the victory.

In this series, Butler has only played 2 full games due to injury (he left the game after 7 minutes in Game 2). In these two games, Butler averaged 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. He was 17-for-31 from the field and 16-for-18 from the free-throw line, being extremely efficient.

When Butler renewed his contract with the Warriors with an annual salary of $60 million, public opinion generally thought the price was relatively high. But in fact, in the playoffs, high price has its reason.