SAN FRANCISCO >> Warriors star Jimmy Butler returned to the court to play in Monday night’s Game 4 against the Houston Rockets.

Butler was as questionable with a pelvic contusion earlier in the day, but he was back in the starting lineup after missing Saturday’s Game 3 and all but eight minutes of Game 2.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Monday’s game that Butler participated in shootaround and went through a walkthrough. Kerr didn’t anticipate placing any restrictions on Butler.

“He’s not on a minutes restriction. It’ll be based on how he’s feeling,” Kerr said.

Through the first half, Butler played 18 minutes and scored four points on 1-for-3 shooting.

Butler was hurt in the first quarter of Game 2 when he landed hard on his backside after leaping for a rebound and being undercut by Houston’s Amen Thompson. He left the game shortly thereafter and was questionable for Game 3 before ultimately sitting out.

The Warriors won Game 3 at Chase Center on Saturday night, 104-93, as Butler looked on from the bench in street clothes with a pelvic injury and glute contusion while Golden State took a 2-1 lead in the series.

On Sunday, Kerr told media that Butler was questionable for Monday’s Game 4 while sying there was a “much more reasonable” chance Butler would be back after working with team medical expert Rick Celebrini.

In Butler’s absence, Curry scored 36 points and played 41 minutes during Game 3. Kerr said earlier if Butler was back that he hoped Curry would not have to carry such a heavy load.

“If Jimmy plays … and looks like himself, hopefully we can get that down to 35 minutes,” Kerr said of Curry’s workload.

The Warriors’ season turned around upon Butler’s arrival as they went 23-8 the rest of the regular season after he played his first game for them Feb. 8 in Chicago. Golden State went into Monday’s game 1-1 without Butler active.

Butler averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in the regular season, but his impact went beyond the box score. After his arrival from Miami, the Warriors had the top defense in the league according to defensive rating (109.0).

The Warriors won Game 1 in Houston after Butler scored 25 points and had five steals, but lost Game 2 109-94.

Curry and Gary Payton II also appeared on the injury report before Game 4. Both were listed as available and both played. Curry has been dealing with a right thumb injury for months, and Payton also has a left thumb issue.

Butler’s return immediately put Jonathan Kuminga’s place in the rotation into question.

The fourth-year forward had been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games until Butler’s injury. He then played 26 minutes in Game 2, and started in Game 3.