Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler underwent successful surgery on his torn right meniscus, the team’s PR department tweets. No timetable for Butler’s recovery is available and he will be sidelined indefinitely.
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports tweeted that Butler may be sidelined for four to six weeks after the surgery. The hope is for Butler to be healthy in time for the postseason.
We noted yesterday that surgery was an option for Butler, who suffered the injury on a non-contact play in Friday’s loss to the Rockets. Butler reportedly received a second opinion before he went under the knife.
Butler, 28, has played a pivotal role in Minnesota’s ascension in the Western Conference this season. In 58 games, he averaged 22.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 5.0 APG and anchored Minnesota’s defense. He leads the league with 37.5 minutes per contest.
The Timberwolves hold third place in the West with a 37-26 record. However, there is just a 2.5-game difference between the Timberwolves and the eighth-place Pelicans. Losing Butler for the remainder of the regular season will test Minnesota’s ability to stay in the postseason picture.
Hoping for the best, this guy deserves to make it back healthy as quick as possible.
Prayers to Jimmy! God bless…