The Golden State Warriors will enter Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets nearly at full strength, with only Jimmy Butler listed as probable due to a left pelvic contusion.
Stephen Curry and Gary Payton II, both managing thumb injuries, are officially available and expected to play as the seventh seed looks to complete a 4–1 series upset over the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed.
According to the NBA’s official injury report, Butler is dealing with a bruised pelvis but is likely to suit up after logging 40 minutes and scoring 27 points in Game 4.
Curry, who played through a right thumb splint on Monday, is cleared to go again after contributing 17 points despite shooting 2-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Payton II also remains active with a left thumb splint and is expected to continue his bench role after recording four assists in the previous outing.
Houston will once again be without forward Jae’Sean Tate, who remains sidelined with a right ankle impingement.
The Rockets have leaned heavily on Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet throughout the series.
Golden State has taken a 3–1 lead after securing back-to-back close wins, including Monday’s 109–106 result where Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield combined for 41 points.
Hield, who replaced Jonathan Kuminga in the starting lineup, hit a go-ahead three in crunch time to cap an 11–2 run that flipped the game’s momentum late.
Tempers flared in the second quarter of Game 4 with multiple technicals and a Flagrant 1 assessed to Draymond Green, who pushed Tari Eason during a loose-ball scramble.
Despite shooting just 41.9% from the floor in that contest, the Warriors’ defense held Houston to a scoreless final 40 seconds and clinched the win with clutch free throws and a key rebound from Butler.
The Rockets must now win at home to force a Game 6, where they’ll try to extend their season behind one of the league’s top-ranked defenses and a 32–9 record at Toyota Center during the regular season.
Tipoff for Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Houston.
