The Warriors later announced guard Brandin Podziemski was also questionable to return to the game with an illness. Two starters exiting left head coach Steve Kerr digging deep in the Warriors bench, with 12 different players logging minutes by the time Butler was ruled out.

The Warriors earned their spot in this first-round series via the Play-In Tournament, knocking off the Memphis Grizzlies to grab the West's No. 7 seed. The Rockets ended up with the No. 2 seed in an ultra-competitive Western Conference, finishing 52-30 in the regular season. Game 1 is set for Sunday night in Houston.