Jimmy Butler shares ACL rehab update, expectations for Warriors next season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
A little more than five months have passed since the Warriors’ 2025-26 NBA season went in the tank when Jimmy Butler sustained a torn right ACL.
Taking basketball away from Butler has been a cruel form of punishment. Having his movements restricted and not being able to hoop whenever he feels like it is a new form of frustration for the six-time All-Star. His motivation can’t be any higher, and Butler is doing his all to attack rehab to the best of his ability each and every day.
On Thursday during a corporate event in which Butler was part of a panel that introduced IREN as the Warriors’ new jersey patch, he gave insight into where he’s at mentally and physically. To keep it simple, Butler’s counting down the days until he’s back on the court wearing a Warriors jersey again, wishing he could speed up time.
And he’s frothing at the chance to be Steph Curry’s co-star again.
“I got some time, but I promise I’m trying to get back to basketball,” Butler said. “… As soon as I can get back on the floor, being the Robin to Steph’s Batman, I will be back.”
The Warriors had won 12 of their last 16 games when Butler went down to injury. They then lost their next two games, and 11 days after Butler’s torn ACL, Curry was out for the next two months because of complications to runner’s knee.
When Butler and Curry played, the Warriors liked their chances against anybody. When they didn’t, they were at the bottom of the barrel.
The Warriors went 23-15 with Butler in the lineup last season, and 20-13 when both Curry and Butler played in the same game. After Butler’s injury, in which Curry missed the majority of games, the Warriors had a 12-26 record the rest of the regular season.
Championship hopes and a chance to contend were Butler and the rest of the Warriors’ outlook going into the season. Going 37-45 while completely missing the playoffs wasn’t part of anybody’s plans. Last season isn’t changing Butler’s outlook on the Warriors going into next season, even though he will miss at least the start of the 2026-27 season.
Why? Batman is why.
“We got Steph on our team?” Butler asked back sarcastically to a question on his honest expectations. “Shit, we’re going to win. I’m a firm believer that Steph is one of the greatest players to ever play this game. His talent is game-changing alone. You legitimately always have a chance when Steph is on the floor, no matter the time – fourth quarter, second quarter, overtime – so he, we, are expected to win at a high level, and I think we are going to do that.”
Warriors owner Joe Lacob also was part of the panel. The message he sent was the Warriors are going to do whatever it takes to climb the mountain top again, despite so many obstacles in their way and history not being on their side with the ages of their top players, like Butler and Curry.
“I can tell you this: Nobody’s going to outwork us,” Lacob said. “Nobody, I won’t say outspend us, but you know what I mean. We commit the resources to whatever we do.”
The start of that began Tuesday and Wednesday in the NBA draft when the Warriors added Yaxel Lendeborg in the first round (No. 11) and Lajae Jones in the second (No. 54). Then on Thursday, veteran center Al Horford declined his $6 million player option to remain on the Warriors with a reported two-year, $14 million contract.
During the first round of the draft, though, cameras caught Lacob in what looked like an intense exchange with general manager Mike Dunleavy as the Warriors were on the clock. Dunleavy later that night clarified Lacob’s excitement in adding Lendeborg, which continued Thursday.
“It couldn’t have gone any better for us,” Lacob said. “We got the guy we were looking to get. I think he’s a game-changer. … I just think this guy is fantastic. Good day in Warriors history, mark my words.”
Butler also showed his nod of approval for Lendeborg. He later told reporters he likes that Lendeborg speaks his mind and that “he’s going to be very good.” Butler also gave more of an update on his current knee rehab.
At this point, Butler says he already is able to dunk a basketball but not land on his right leg. He can’t jump off two feet yet. He can dribble and has shot threes from a chair sitting down. If Butler had to guess, he’s about a month and a half from running.
“We’ve been making some incredible progress,” Butler said to reporters. “I’m actually very happy. I just want it to happen quickly.”
