Timberwolves' Butler: 'I'm this close to returning'
The Minnesota Timberwolves were third in the Western Conference when Jimmy Butler tore his meniscus. Six weeks later, they're in seventh place and narrowly clinging to a playoff spot, just a game-and-a-half up on the ninth-place Denver Nuggets with two head-to-heads still to play.
The good news is Butler may be back for one, if not both of those crucial games against the Nuggets.
"I'm this close to returning to the floor," Butler told reporters Tuesday, after going through a full-contact practice.
Butler, who was given an initial four-to-six week recovery timeline, said he isn't certain when he'll be cleared for game action, but that his body feels good. The Wolves play the Nuggets on Thursday and then again on the last day of the regular season on April 11.
For the season, Minnesota has been 13 points per 100 possessions better with Butler on the floor.