Jimmy Butler has been a major talking point since being traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors at the deadline.
Golden State has been playing championship-level basketball since Butler's arrival -- following a nasty exit from the Heat -- though one major hurdle is holding them back right now.
After knocking off the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, they now trail the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 in the second round.
They captured a Game 1 victory behind their stout defense. However, bad news later struck.
After 13 minutes played in the first game of the series, Stephen Curry left with what was later diagnosed as a hamstring strain.
Right now, Curry is day-to-day and is expected to return in Game 6, should the Warriors advance another game and avoid elimination on Wednesday night.
Butler hasn't stepped up in ways fans might have expected in the past three games -- all of which have resulted in losses -- as his shot volume is low.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
© David Gonzales
He had just 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in a 117-110 Game 4 loss. On top of still feeling his pelvic injury, Butler was also dealing with an illness, which held him back.
Ahead of Game 5, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced that Butler is now feeling well, having updated him earlier on Wednesday.
"Steve Kerr says he talked to Jimmy Butler this morning and Butler told him he’s feeling good," Ohm Youngmisuk shared on X.
This is great news for the Warriors -- as they aim to get healthy Butler, who formerly led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances with elite willpower.
The star forward has the ability to lead Golden State in a major way, and being free of any illness will help Butler show up the way the club needs in Game 5.