Jimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors is sidelined for at least the end of the 2025-26 NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in January. The star will miss the Warriors’ Play-In Tournament game against the Phoenix Suns as he continues to recover and make an eventual injury return.
Butler caused a bit of a stir online before the Warriors’ previous Play-In game against the Los Angeles Clippers, as he responded to a report listing him as doubtful for the contest. However, the star remains out with the ACL injury for the time being, and did not play in the team’s last game, nor will he play on Friday night against the Suns.
While Golden State has been devastated with injuries this season, Butler was the first domino to fall when he went out in January.
Now, three months after his injury, here’s everything we know about Butler’s recovery and return timeline.
When Is Jimmy Butler Coming Back? Injury Update And Return Timeline For Warriors Star
Butler tore his ACL on January 19 in a game against the Miami Heat. He underwent successful surgery to repair the injury on February 9, and has been sidelined for the Warriors ever since.
Based on recent NBA history, a typical recovery timeline for a torn ACL is roughly eight to 12 months, but Butler is expected to be closer to the back-end of that timeline. That is the expectation for Butler’s injury return, as Golden State is reportedly preparing to start the 2026-27 season without him, as it could take a few months into next year to get the star back on the court.
“The Warriors are already embracing for the possibility and the potential likelihood that he’s gonna miss the start of next season,” Shams Charania said back in January. “He turns 37 this offseason, and he faces a year-long work of recovery potentially.”
Additionally, Anthony Slater of ESPN reported Butler won’t be re-evaluated until ‘early next season’ as the Warriors appear to be taking a slow and cautious approach with his injury recovery and eventual return.
“Butler will miss the rest of this season and his progress won’t be updated until ‘early next season,’ according to the news release, signaling the team’s expectation that he won’t be back until the middle of the 2026-27 campaign,” Slater wrote.
Before going down with the ACL injury, Butler, who was in his first full season with the Warriors after being acquired at the 2025 NBA trade deadline, was having another strong year. In 38 games, he averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals on 51.9% shooting, but since the injury, he hasn’t played in nearly three months.
For now, it is fair to say that Butler will miss the first few months of next season, as until the Warriors announce an official injury update or return timeline, that is what history says about ACL recoveries in the NBA.
Latest Jimmy Butler Injury News Amid Warriors Play-In Tournament
GettyJimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors remains out for their Play-In Tournament game against the Phoenix Suns with a torn ACL. Butler is expected to be sidelined into next season for the Warriors as he continues to make progress on his injury recovery and eventual return.
Butler was not seen on the Warriors’ bench for a decent stretch after first going down with the injury.
However, over the past week, Butler has been seen more and more in Golden State’s facility and at games. Most recently, the 36-year-old was seen walking without crutches before the team’s final regular-season game against the Clippers.
“Jimmy Butler is with the Warriors in Los Angeles. Just popped out during Steph Curry’s warmup. Moving gingerly, but he’s off crutches,” Slater captioned a video posted on X.
Butler was also seen at Golden State’s vintage win over the Clippers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament, most notably celebrating Stephen Curry’s clutch shots and reacting to the win.
That was fun 🤩
After the game, which saw the Warriors advance to now play the Suns in the second round of the Play-In, Butler offered a new injury update about his recovery.
“I feel really good right now. My recovery is going well,” Butler said, per GQ Korea. “Basketball was always my main outlet, and suddenly that door was gone. But in a way, with that outlet closed, I’ve been able to really reflect on myself. Maybe this is exactly where I needed to be. Every day, I’m learning more about who I am, what I like, and what truly makes me happy.”
Additionally, while it remains to be announced when Butler will make his eventual return, the star sent a message to Warriors’ season-ticket holders amid his recovery.
“I can promise you that I will attack my rehab with a singular focus that will enable me to get back to playing the game that I love, in front of the fans that I have grown to love and appreciate,” Butler wrote, as just a part of his message to Golden State’s fanbase. “I will be back, and I need you back, too. Here’s to what’s ahead. Go Dubs.”
For now, however, Butler remains out for the Warriors, set to miss their upcoming Play-In game against Phoenix.
The star still doesn’t have an official timeline for a return, but signs point to his recovery process going well, despite indications hinting at him missing the start of next season for Golden State.
But like he was in the team’s clutch win over the Clippers, Butler will be at their second win-or-go-home game in a row, cheering on his team from the bench.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Play-In Tournament game tips off at 7:30 pm PST on Amazon Prime Video.
When Will Jimmy Butler Come Back? Latest Injury Return Timeline For Warriors Star