The Warriors may not have Jimmy Butler for multiple games due to his sore left knee. Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — Golden State Warriors swingman Jimmy Butler had an MRI on his sore left knee and will, at a minimum, miss Thursday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, coach Steve Kerr said before the game.
While Kerr and other members of the team don’t seem concerned about Butler’s injury, it remains unclear when Butler will return to the floor. The Warriors play back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
Butler initially took a hard foul in Saturday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, but played through the soreness. He started Tuesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but did not return after halftime because of the knee issue.
Butler and the Warriors could decide to rest the knee for a few more days to take advantage of an upcoming lull in their schedule. The Warriors’ next game following this three-game road trip isn’t until Dec. 12 at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That is the same game Kerr hopes Stephen Curry will return from the left quad injury and muscle strain he initially suffered during a Nov. 26 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The good news for the Warriors is that reserve guard De’Anthony Melton will make his first appearance of the season Thursday night. The 27-year-old has not played in an NBA game since suffering an ACL injury at the beginning of last season. Kerr said Melton would be limited to about 20 minutes in his first game.
“It’s been a long time since he’s played in an NBA game, so this is about getting his feet wet, finding a comfort zone out on the floor,” Kerr said. “You can scrimmage all you want, but it’s not like being in an NBA game. So I’m excited to get him back. He’s a hell of a player and he’s worked really hard in his rehab to get himself back to this point.”
Veteran big man Al Horford will also make his return after missing more than a week with right sciatic nerve irritation. He will make his first start of the season.
Dec 5, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle
