It’s been a long year for six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler. After just 36 games for the Golden State Warriors in 2025-26, he tore his ACL back in January, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season. Ever since, it’s been a nonstop routine of rehab and rest for Jimmy, which is still ongoing.
Fortunately, as he revealed in his latest media interview, things are finally getting better for Butler, who was back in San Francisco today for a corporate event at Chase Center. While Butler admits the process has been tough, he plans to continue the work to get back on the court next season.
“It’s good, I’m in the thick of it,” said Butler on his rehab (via Anthony Slater). “I’m glad to be up here in the Bay; this is like my home away from home now. This rehab’s tough, not gonna lie. You’re doing work knowing you’ve still got so much more work to do to get back to where you want to be. The process is a grind, and it’s nothing new; but at the same time, it’s very new, but I look forward to getting back on the court.”
ACL injuries typically require 9-12 months of recovery time, and Butler is only five months in. That means he still has months of rehab ahead of him, and he may still not be ready for opening night. The important thing for Jimmy is that he doesn’t skip any steps, even if life is unrecognizable right now.
“It’s not harder than I thought. Tedious? Yes. Mentally frustrating? Very much so,” Butler added. “Not harder than I thought, it’s just like life is different right now. There are things I used to be able to do that I can’t do right now. I can dunk a basketball if I jump off my left leg, but I just can’t land on my right. I haven’t tried it, but I’m pretty sure I can still dunk a basketball.”
Butler is still so limited in what he can do, and it’s almost tough to imagine what he’s been up to all this time. For someone with his competitive spirit, it’s been tough for Butler to be so inactive, but he’s been passing the time by other means.
“Play dominoes. Sit in a chair and beat Adam Harrington at horse,” said Butler on how he’s been spending his time. “I can dribble. I can actually shoot a three if I’m sitting down in a chair. Then I get to watch my kids run around and play basketball.”
It remains to be seen when Butler will be cleared to play, but we can expect him back at some point in the 2026-27 campaign. Even if he’s not 100%, he says the Warriors can be competitive when he returns, so long as Stephen Curry is healthy.
“If we’re healthy, we’re tough,” Butler said. “We’ve just got to be healthy. As long as we’ve got Steph, we always have a chance.”
With averages of 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 51.9% shooting and 37.6% shooting from three this past season, we know what Butler is capable of when healthy. Alongside Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and potentially Kristaps Porzingis, he could thrive next season as the Warriors reclaim their place near the top of the standings. That’s not counting any future additions, with potential targets being LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard (among others).
For now, however, Butler’s focus is on getting his body right so he can return to form and help the Warriors make another title run. At 36, he can’t carry a team like he used to, but he’s confident that the Warriors can make some noise as currently constructed. Only time will tell if he’s right, but the vibes couldn’t be better as a pivotal free agency approaches.
