Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III is progressing in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is expected to return to play between January and February, according to an ESPN report.
Butler has been gradually increasing his on-court activities over the summer. Recent strength tests on his right ACL recovery have shown significant progress, league sources told ESPN NBA insider Anthony Slater. However, Butler's recovery is not yet complete, and he is expected to be limited to individual court and strength work for the foreseeable future.
If Butler returns in January, it would mark nearly a year since he sustained the injury. He tore his ACL last season during a game against his former team, the Miami Heat, in a 135-112 victory. In that game, Butler scored 17 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and added 4 assists and 2 steals in 21 minutes of play before exiting in the third quarter. The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly after receiving a pass and colliding with Miami's Davion Mitchell.
Butler underwent surgery and has been working through his rehabilitation process throughout the offseason. ESPN reports that he must meet several checkpoints before he can return to NBA action. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors' lead medical decision-maker, is known for his cautious approach to player recovery.
Butler was traded to the Warriors by the Heat at the 2025 NBA trade deadline as Golden State aimed to bolster their roster in pursuit of another championship with Stephen Curry. Since joining forces, Butler and Curry have played only 60 games together due to various injuries. In their first season as teammates, the Warriors were eliminated in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.