Jimmy Butler’s Preseason Status in Doubt: Will Ankle Injury Sideline Him Against Warriors?

When you’re talking about Jimmy Butler stepping into Golden State for his first training camp after that midseason swap with Miami, you expect fireworks, right? Well, hold the applause for just a sec—Butler’s preseason debut might be benched on a bit of bad luck. He rolled his ankle late last week, which kept him off the court for a couple of crucial practice days. Steve Kerr isn’t tossing him into the Lakers preseason opener at Chase Center just yet, calling his availability a “question mark.” Makes sense — the last thing the Warriors want is to rush a key veteran before the season really gets cooking. With their medical team, headed by Rick Celebrini, playing it extremely safe—especially with big names like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and now Butler—caution is the name of the game. Meanwhile, a few others like Trayce Jackson-Davis and rookie Alex Toohey are also in the injury mix, which adds another layer to what’s shaping up to be a careful, measured preseason approach. Kerr’s planning to spread out minutes so nobody hits the gas too hard too soon. It’s early days, but the vibes around the camp ground tell me this team’s eyeing long-term health over short-term sizzle. LEARN MORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Jimmy Butler is going through his first training camp with the Warriors after being acquired from the Miami Heat at last February’s trade deadline, but his preseason debut with the team might have to wait.

Butler rolled his ankle Thursday and did not practice Friday or Saturday. Coach Steve Kerr is calling Butler’s status a “question mark” for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.

“That’ll be a training staff decision,” Kerr said.

Steve Kerr reveals Jimmy Butler is “a question mark” for the Warriors’ preseason opener after rolling his ankle pic.twitter.com/1INBAWT5eo

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 4, 2025

The Warriors and director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini will be extremely cautious with the health of players throughout preseason, especially veterans like Butler, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Al Horford. Curry, Green and Horford are expected to play Sunday.

Center Trayce Jackson-Davis also is considered questionable for the Warriors. Jackson-Davis when speaking Saturday at the podium had his right thumb taped up.

He says it isn’t anything to worry about.

“Thumb’s good,” Jackson-Davis said. “Just a little precaution.”

Guard De’Anthony Melton continues to rehab from left ACL surgery he underwent in December. Melton will miss all of the 2025-26 NBA preseason, as well as the start of the regular season. He has been able to go through individual work as the rest of Warriors practice and scrimmage in training camp.

The Warriors on Wednesday announced Melton will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Rookie Alex Toohey also will not be healthy enough to play Sunday, delaying his NBA preseason debut. Toohey has been dealing with an ankle injury that has hampered him in training camp and prior to that as well.

With their first of two second-round draft picks, the Warriors selected Toohey No. 52 overall in June. Toohey, a 6-foot-8 forward from Australia, played six summer league games and averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

The Lakers on Friday played their first preseason game, losing 103-81 against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James and Luka Dončić both didn’t play in the loss.

Kerr plans to use a deep rotation Sunday without any one player tiring himself out.

“I don’t think anybody will play much more than 15, 18 minutes,” Kerr said. “Maybe a couple young guys get into the 20s. First game, I love to give everybody time. I want to give every player who’s on the active list some minutes.”

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