The Minnesota Timberwolves have slid all the way to the eighth and last spot in the Western Conference after star forward Jimmy Butler underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. And while Butler had felt the soreness and discomfort even prior to the odd tweak that caused it, he wouldn't change a thing about playing through the pain.
“I can’t say that I knew it was coming, but I knew that my knee was sore, hence, things that happened before I went down that everybody had something to say about,” Butler said on Sunday during his first public comments since having surgery in February, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “But like I always say, I know my body better than anybody and that it just so happened that that’s when it happened. But better now than ever. At least it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.”
The Timberwolves have gone 4-5 since Butler's injury, dropping them further down in the race after working their way to the third spot, above the San Antonio Spurs, who have since struggled to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Oh how things have changed…
Butler said he initially feared it was his ACL, a joint that could prove a season-ending nightmare for someone of his caliber.
“Nate Robinson always said you gotta risk it for the biscuit,” said Butler, quoting his old Chicago Bulls teammate. “That's what I'm about. I'm not one to sit out if I can play. I want to compete. I want to show that I'm one of the better players to do this. I'm here for a reason. I want to help my team win and all of that good stuff.”
Butler added that he expects to be back “sooner rather than later” after being given a four-to-six week prognostication after his Feb. 25 surgery date.
“I plan on doing that. But I can't give you the exact date,” said Butler. “I want to come back and I want to help. I want to play.”
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