In many ways, the Golden State Warriors’ season, not to mention their hopes for their fifth NBA championship of the Stephen Curry era, will come down to Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday.

They trail the Minnesota Timberwolves two games to one in the series, and ever since Curry went out in Game 1 due to a hamstring strain, they have struggled to put points on the board. They scored just 93 points in a Game 2 blowout loss and 97 points in Game 3, and even when they won in Game 1, they failed to reach the century mark.

Jimmy Butler tried to put Golden State on his back in Game 3, and head coach Steve Kerr said he will have to balance the need to ride him and his need for some rest. But Butler, according to Kerr, wants to play every single minute.

Steve Kerr said Warriors will continue to balance need to have Jimmy Butler out there basically every minute while trying to spot him necessary rest. Butler played 43 in Game 3 and Kerr said he’s antsy every second he’s on bench: “He wants 48.”

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 11, 2025

Fans reacted to Kerr’s comment on X.

“If he wants 48 play him 48,” one fan wrote. “Playing around too much gets this series extended. Hence he will be more tired. Give em a chance to win it. Denver-OKC looks like it will go 7”

If he wants 48 play him 48. Playing around too much gets this series extended. Hence he will be more tired. Give em a chance to win it. Denver-OKC looks like it will go 7

— L A R R Y (@genX_dad) May 11, 2025

“Steve Kerr needs everybody to step up and score so Jimmy doesn’t have to be on the court so much,” another fan wrote. “Yes, we could have a rested Curry back, but we don’t want Jimmy to run out of gas in the process”

Steve Kerr needs everybody to step up and score so Jimmy doesn’t have to be on the court so much. Yes, we could have a rested Curry back, but we don’t want Jimmy to run out of gas in the process

— SmithBriniGrafLund (@2MINIHULK) May 11, 2025

“He was gassed by the end of the game him being on the court so much costed at the end of the game,” a third fan wrote.

He was gassed by the end of the game him being on the court so much costed at the end of the game

— Efeso100 (@Efeso1001) May 11, 2025

“Jimmy is a dog another 30 point game I can feel it,” a fourth fan wrote.

Jimmy is a dog another 30 point game I can feel it .

— Saucinplays (@splasherrrroses) May 11, 2025

“If he wants 48 GIVE HIM 48,” wrote a fifth fan.

If he wants 48 GIVE HIM 48

— 🥷 (@curry4threeeee) May 11, 2025

“he didnt score a point in the last 8 minutes, i swear we were at 82 points for the entire 4th,” another fan wrote.

he didnt score a point in the last 8 minutes, i swear we were at 82 points for the entire 4th

— Plinto (@Blicey1) May 11, 2025

Butler scored 33 points on 12-of-26 shooting from the field and 7-of-9 from the free throw line in Game 3 on Saturday. He also added seven rebounds and seven assists and played 43 minutes.

But he went 1-of-7 in the fourth quarter as Golden State’s overall offense dried up. It scored 31 points in the third quarter, but afterward, it mustered just 24 points as the Timberwolves took control and won, 102-97.

Forward Jonathan Kuminga scored 30 points off the bench and guard Buddy Hield added 14 points, but the Warriors need everyone to give an all-hands-on-deck effort to tie the series with a Game 4 victory.

Curry is expected to be out until, at the very least, Game 5 and more realistically until Game 6.

Related: Steve Kerr Has Definite Response on Outcome of Warriors-Timberwolves Series

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