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The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will face off for the second time this preseason on Sunday night inside Crpyto.com Arena in Los Angeles, but a new statement from Golden State's head coach Steve Kerr will wind up evening the score for a bruised and battered Lakers squad.
According to a recent update from The San Francisco Standard's Danny Emerman, the Warriors' 6-time All-Star Jimmy Butler won't be present for the contest due to a personal reason.
"Jimmy Butler won’t play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Lakers," Emerman shared via X on Friday evening.
"Excused personal absence, per Steve Kerr. Butler practiced today and scheduled to practice tomorrow."
Butler's absence will be of note for a Warriors squad trying to ramp things up before the beginning of a pivotal 2025-26 campaign, but it appears as though the 36-year-old forward is not dealing with any significant ailment or issue.
The ex-Miami Heat superstar and 5-time All-Defensive Team selection competed alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and their important free agent signing Al Horford in Golden State's 111-103 home victory over the Lakers to kick off their preseason Sunday, and he finished with a stellar nine points, four rebounds and two assists in just a shade under 15 minutes of action.
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Los Angeles will be without their legendary 40-year-old forward LeBron James, as it's been reported that he'll miss 3-4 weeks due to his ongoing recovery from sciatica. The Lakers' 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart will also likely join James on the bench for their upcoming matchup as he continues to work his way back from from Achilles tendinopathy.
The Lakers' 26-year-old generational talent Luka Dončić could be ready to make his season debut against Golden State, making the defensive forward Butler's absence that much more impactful.
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