Jimmy Butler against Thunder due to illness

The Golden State Warriors will be shortened on Friday night as they open the New Year against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chase Center.

Golden State forward Jimmy Butler III out with an illness ahead of the match, which is set for 10:00 PM ET on Prime Video. The Warriors enter the contest on a two-game winning streak and are 18–16, while Oklahoma City owns the NBA’s best record at 29–5.

ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel reported Friday afternoon that Butler appeared in the injury report with an illness tag, creating uncertainty about his availability against one of the league’s best teams. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater confirmed his absence.

Butler (36) has been a central part of Golden State’s lineup this season. In 30 games, he is averaging 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three. He logged 31.6 minutes per contest and provided consistent two-way production during the Warriors’ recent rise up the Western Conference standings.

Jimmy Butler appeared on the Warriors’ injury report and is questionable due to illness. https://t.co/RvkGvu7V3d

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 2, 2026

Jimmy Butler’s status is in the headlines for the Warriors’ injury concerns against the Thunder

Butler’s status adds to an already lengthy injury report for Golden State. Stephen Curry is out with a sprained left anklewhile De’Anthony Melton is questionable with a left knee injury. Draymond Green is ruled out for rest and Seth Curry remains sidelined with left sciatic nerve irritation.

The Warriors also listed Al Horford as probable with right sciatic nerve irritation and Trace Jackson-Davis as probable with right knee patella tendinitis.

Golden State is coming off a 132–125 win over the Charlotte Hornets on New Year’s Eve, a result that helped stabilize the position in the Western Conference playoff race. Meanwhile, the Thunder arrive in San Francisco as one of the league’s most consistent teams on both ends of the floor.

The Warriors are looking to extend their winning streak to three games against a conference-leading opponent without three of their superstar players.