Butler sitting out vs. 76ers due to back spasms
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PHILADELPHIA -- The Golden State Warriors will play their first game without Jimmy Butler, who will miss Saturday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of back spasms.
Head coach Steve Kerr said Butler began experiencing back issues when he took a hit from Orlando's Wendell Carter Jr. during the Warriors' 121-115 win over the Magic on Thursday.
With Butler in the lineup, the Warriors were 7-1 since acquiring him before the trade deadline. Butler sat out Golden State's first game immediately after the trade, which the team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
But the Warriors have played their best basketball since with Butler on the floor, winning five straight heading into Saturday.
The Warriors have said their goal is to secure the sixth seed in the playoffs and avoid the play-in. They went into Saturday's game tied with the Clippers with a 32-27 record.
In addition to Butler, the Warriors were missing Jonathan Kuminga, who remains out with an ankle injury but continues to work his way back.