Warriors star Jimmy Butler shares ACL rehab update

SAN FRANCISCO – After sitting a few feet away from Warriors owner Joe Lacob at a corporate event in San Francisco on Thursday, Jimmy Butler walked slowly off the stage and across the room without a noticeable limp.

But a little over five months removed from tearing his right ACL on Jan. 19, the 36-year-old Butler still has a ways to go before he is cleared to get back on the court.

Butler underwent surgery on Feb. 7.

“Rehab’s tough, I’m not even going to lie,” Butler said. “You’re doing so much work, knowing you’ve still got so much more work to do to get back to where you want to be.”

Butler said he believed he could currently dunk a basketball if he jumped off his left leg, but that involving his right leg in the jumping or landing process is a no-go.

And though the 15-year NBA veteran is no longer limping like he did when he last spoke to the press in mid-March, Butler is still a ways off from being able to sprint or run.

“I would hope for me, a month and a half maybe, probably,” Butler said. “I would hope that’s the goal.”

Butler is expected to miss a large portion of the 2026-27 season, and he said he will rehab in the Bay Area. He’s entering the final year of a two-year, $111 million extension he signed with the Warriors upon arriving via trade in February 2025.

“I’m grateful to be a part of it now,” Butler said of the Golden State organization. “I say I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

The knee injury cut short what was shaping up to be another stellar season for the six-time All-Star. He averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 38 games before going down in the third quarter of the Warriors’ home game against the Miami Heat, his previous team.

To keep his spirits high, Butler has used his free time to play dominoes, hang out with his children, watch the World Cup and even do a little bit of travelling, including to the Met Gala last month in New York City.

When the season draws closer, Butler plans to invite the team to his home in San Diego, something he did last year.

This season, first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg will be among that group. Lendeborg has already earned a reputation for speaking his mind, telling the media that he used to “hate” Steph Curry and talking trash about Draymond Green’s alma mater, Michigan State. (Lendeborg won the NCAA title in April with in-state rival Michigan.)

Butler relished the idea of Lendeborg’s first meeting with his veteran teammates.

“He’s on one,” Butler said with a smile. “It’ll be fun for those two to get ahold of him.”

As far as Lendeborg’s on-the-court fit with the Warriors, Butler gave a glowing assessment.

Lendeborg will need to play big minutes on the wing for the Warriors as both Butler and Moses Moody recover from devastating knee injuries. The rookie will also provide interior help for a team that is expected to rely on Green, 36, and Al Horford, 40, at center.

All personalities are welcome,” Butler said. “We need you to be loud, we need you to have that energy. He plays tough, he is tough …. He’s going to come in and help out right away. He’s going to fit in, and he’s got the mold to do everything and do everything well.”