But Houston cannot afford to let bench players Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield make major impacts. Payton finished with a postseason career-high 16 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, and Hield was 5-for-11 on 3-point attempts to help finish with 17 points in 29 minutes.

Butler, who is now in danger of missing Game 4 on Monday as well, took to social media shortly after the win. In his first post since sitting out the contest due to injury, the 35-year-old sent a message of appreciation for his squad -- except for one teammate.

On Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rocekts in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Draymond Green finished the 104-93 victory