The Minnesota Timberwolves have been anxiously awaiting the return of star forward Jimmy Butler as they try to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race.

According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, Butler could make his return to the Wolves' lineup as early as Thursday night, when Minnesota travels to take on the Denver Nuggets in what is considered a must-win game.

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Butler suffered the non-contact knee injury in a game against the Houston Rockets on February 23rd, the first game back for Minnesota since the All-Star break. An MRI revealed a meniscus tear for Butler and a four-to-six week timetable to return was added following his procedure.

The seventh-year guard out of Marquette has missed the last 16 games for the Wolves, but is now eying a return in the very near future and certainly prior to the end of the regular season.

Butler has appeared in 56 games for the Timberwolves this season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers per game on 47.3 percent shooting from the field and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. If he could return to form by the time the playoffs begin, the Wolves would certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the West.