Sources: Timberwolves' Jimmy Butler expected to have surgery to repair torn meniscus, could return in 4-6 weeks
Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and could return in four-to-six weeks, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
A final timetable will be set after the procedure, league sources said.
An MRI on Saturday revealed the injury after X-rays were taken on Butler’s knee Friday night and returned negative. Butler’s non-contact injury early in the third quarter of Friday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets brought concerns about a possible ACL tear, but there was optimism around Butler regarding the final diagnosis.
Minnesota is 36-26 and holds the fourth seed in the Western Conference but now faces an extended absence for Butler.
Butler, a four-time All-Star, has led the Timberwolves to a resurgent season, averaging 22.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and five assists in 55 games. As a two-way player and stalwart for coach Tom Thibodeau, Butler is also is averaging a league-high 37.3 minutes per game.
Butler joined the Timberwolves as part of a trade from the Chicago Bulls on draft night last June.
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