Butler Progresses in ACL Rehab but Sets No Return Date

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler says he is making progress in rehabilitation from a torn right ACL and remains confident he can return to full strength, but he has not set a public date for his comeback. Butler told ESPN he has resumed moving, running and jumping during his recovery. He said he will wait for the Warriors to clear him before returning to competition and declined to provide a target date, saying he did not want to give an unreliable estimate. The tentative window discussed by the team is January or February 2027. General manager Mike Dunleavy has said Butler will not be ready for opening night, while head coach Steve Kerr has described February as a possible return period. Neither a date nor medical clearance has been confirmed. The 37-year-old injured his right knee during a January 2026 game against his former team, the Miami Heat, and underwent surgery in February. The injury ended his 2025-26 season. Butler joined Golden State in a trade from Miami at the 2025 trade deadline and had been a key contributor before he was hurt. The Warriors went 12-26 after Butler’s injury, according to reports. His absence came amid other injuries, including time...