The Warriors on Feb. 5 sent a protected 2025 first-round pick and four players — Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters III — to various destinations in the complicated, multi-team deal that brought Butler to the Bay from Miami. Golden State signed Butler to a two-year, $121 million contract extension through 2027.

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 3 is set for Saturday in San Francisco.

Butler scored 14 of his points in the fourth quarter on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. With the game tied at 104 and under a minute on the clock, Butler was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Dillon Brooks. Butler knocked down all three free throws to give the Warriors a 3-point lead with 58 seconds remaining on the clock.