Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said on The Draymond Green Show that Jimmy Butler worked out in his full Warriors uniform on Saturday and again on Monday as he rehabs a torn right ACL. Butler has not played this season.
Butler tore the ACL in January and had reconstructive surgery in February, according to Bleacher Report. At media day on Sept. 28, he said he could dunk but was limited to light on-court work, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said before the season that Golden State expected to be without Butler for at least the opening stretch, per Bleacher Report. In September, Butler was not a full participant in training camp and still had extensive rehab work ahead, Bleacher Report reported. In June, he said he was about six weeks away from resuming running, according to Bleacher Report.
“Jimmy Butler worked out in his full Warriors uniform on Saturday. Jimmy Butler also worked out in his full Warriors uniform on Monday,” Green said. “It’s crazy because this isn’t the first time I’ve seen guys get in their full game uniform and work out. When Klay [Thompson] was rehabbing from his ACL, or was it the Achilles? Achilles, I want to say. Either one. He would be in there in his full uniform doing his workout.”
Draymond Green On Jimmy Butler’s Long Rehab
Golden State beat the Orlando Magic 126-119 in overtime on Saturday behind 41 points from Stephen Curry, according to The Associated Press. The Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 138-87 on Monday to finish a 6-0 homestand.
“I’m grateful that I haven’t had to experience that, but rehab can be very tedious. And I have been through a lengthy rehab, not the length of that, but I have been through a lengthy rehab, and it gets very tedious, mundane. Same thing over and over and over again,” Green said. “And I think for those guys, they just want to feel the game. They want to feel the uniform. They want to feel a little different than what they felt throughout this entire rehab process.”
“Jimmy’s been on this rehab journey now since February. It’s November, right?” Green said. “So I think guys kind of get that sense and want to feel that uniform again, wants to feel like things are getting closer, getting real again, and it’s great to see him in there in the uniform.”
Jimmy Butler Joins The Warriors’ Bench
Butler dressed like a member of the coaching staff during Monday’s win and held a clipboard with “PASS TO STEPH” written on it, according to The Associated Press. At media day, Butler promised an “eye-popping” return, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
“Jimmy dressed up as an assistant coach yesterday, same sweater all the coaches had on. He was very informative, maybe about some of the wrong things,” Green said. “But it was great to have Jimbo on the coaching staff yesterday. It’s always great to have him on the bench.”
“Just the energy that he brings, the confidence that he brings to the group, even when he’s sitting on the bench, is absolutely incredible,” Green said. “So that was a fun moment for our squad.”
Golden State (8-3) opens a five-game road trip at the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET, according to the NBA. Butler arrived in a trade from the Miami Heat during the 2024-25 season, according to Bleacher Report.
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