Warriors' Jimmy Butler Questionable for Lakers Preseason Opener with Ankle Injury

Jimmy Butler tweaked/rolled his ankle in Thursday’s practice, missed the next two practices and is a “question mark” for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Lakers (NBC Bay Area, SI, Sporting News). Coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ medical staff are being cautious with veterans’ workloads—Kerr said core rotation players will likely play about 15 minutes apiece in the preseason unless plans change (SI, ClutchPoints). Reserve center Trayce Jackson‑Davis is also listed as questionable with his right thumb taped but says it’s not a major concern (NBC Bay Area, Sporting News). Guard De’Anthony Melton will miss the entire 2025–26 preseason and the start of the regular season while rehabbing a left ACL and will be re‑evaluated in four weeks; rookie Alex Toohey is also sidelined with an ankle injury, delaying his preseason debut (NBC Bay Area, Yahoo). Given Butler’s importance to Golden State’s title window and his prior availability issues, the team will protect him and could give extended looks to younger wings such as Gui Santos, Alex Toohey and Jackson Rowe if Butler is limited (ClutchPoints, CBSSports).