Report: Jimmy Butler Torn ACL Injury Recovery Timeline Revealed

After suffering a torn ACL, it's clear that Jimmy Butler will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season. But what's not clear is whether he'll be back for the start of the 2026-27 season.

On Tuesday's edition of NBA Today, ESPN's Shams Charania said, "The Warriors are already bracing for the possibility and the potential likelihood that he's gonna miss the start of next season."

That jibes with what Charania speculated on Tuesday morning's edition of SportsCenter when he said Butler is likely facing a return timetable of a calendar year.

De'Anthony Melton is an example of what could happen.

Melton suffered a torn ACL in November 2024 and didn't return until December 2025. Since returning, he's looked great, but the Warriors have given him a minutes restriction and prevented him from playing in both games of back-to-backs.

Butler is in the first year of a two-year, $111 contract. He's making a $54.1 million this season and is under contract for $56.8 million in 2026-27.