Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler isn’t hiding how difficult his road back from a torn ACL has been.
Butler, who is rehabilitating the right knee injury that ended his 2025-26 season, described being injured as the “worst part of my career” in an Instagram post from China on August 24. But the six-time All-Star paired that admission with an emphatic promise about what comes next.
“China, I am so very grateful for all the love you show me, year after year,” Butler wrote. “Through the best times of my career and also when I’m at the worse part of my career (injury).”
He then vowed to “come back stronger than ever,” adding that his eventual comeback story would be “ELITE.”
For the Warriors, the important distinction is that Butler offered a statement of intent, not a new timetable for his return.
Jimmy Butler Still Working Back From Torn ACL
Butler tore the ACL in his right knee during Golden State’s January 19 win over his former team, the Miami Heat. The Warriors announced the next day that the injury would end his season.
He underwent surgery on February 9 and began his rehabilitation immediately afterward.
The injury removed one of Golden State’s most important players from the lineup at a critical point in the season. Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 38 games before going down.
His latest message does not establish when he will play again.
When Butler spoke with reporters in late June, he said he believed he was approximately a month and a half away from being able to run on the court. The Warriors said following his February surgery that another update on his progress would come early in the 2026-27 season.
That makes Butler’s Instagram post notable more for what it says about his mentality than his medical status.
Calling the injury the lowest point of his career is significant for a player who has been through plenty during 15 NBA seasons. Butler has changed teams multiple times, endured contentious exits and twice reached the NBA Finals without winning a championship.
Now, at 36 years old, he is attempting to return from one of basketball’s most significant knee injuries.
Butler’s Comeback Looms Over Warriors’ New Season
The timing gives his message additional weight for Golden State.
The Warriors open their 2026-27 regular season on October 21 on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers. Whether Butler is available anywhere near the beginning of the schedule remains unresolved.
Golden State already learned how much his absence can change its outlook.
Butler was the Warriors’ second-leading scorer when he was injured, and his ability to create offense, draw fouls and defend multiple positions had made him a critical complement to Stephen Curry.
His recovery consequently carries stakes beyond one player attempting to get healthy. How much Butler can play — and how quickly he can resemble his pre-injury form — could help determine how much the Warriors can get from the remaining years of their veteran core.
Butler did not provide the Warriors with a return date from China.
He did, however, leave little ambiguity about how he views the challenge ahead.
After describing his injury as the “worst part” of his career, Butler’s message was built around what he believes comes next: another chapter worth telling.
For Golden State, the waiting continues. For Butler, the comeback has already become personal.
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