In a shocking turn of events during Game 2 of the NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are bracing for a tough battle after star player Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the Houston Rockets.

Butler, a six-time All-Star, took a nasty fall in the first quarter after colliding with Rockets' guard Amen Thompson. Clearly in distress, he initially tried to shake it off but soon realized he couldn’t continue and asked to be substituted.

As fans held their breath, Butler rushed to the locker room, and by early in the second quarter, the team confirmed that he would not return due to a pelvis contusion. This news struck hard for the Warriors, who relied heavily on Butler's skills to secure a playoff win.

Adding to the drama, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported that Butler is set to undergo an MRI on Thursday, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming games.

In the midst of these challenges, the Warriors also faced concerns regarding guard Brandin Podziemski, who was initially questionable to return due to illness but managed to get back into the game midway through the third quarter.

With two starters sidelined, head coach Steve Kerr was forced to dig deep into the bench. By the time Butler was ruled out, 12 different players had already seen action on the court, showcasing the Warriors' depth in a critical playoff matchup.

With Butler’s absence, all eyes will now be on the remaining Warriors players to step up and fill the void as they try to rally against the Rockets in a must-win scenario.