Doctor Explains Jimmy Butler's Knee Injury: Best & Worst Cases

Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler suffered a serious knee injury in a 135–112 win against the Miami Heat on Monday night. Butler exited the game with 7:41 left in the third quarter. He landed awkwardly after catching a pass, went down, and grabbed his right knee in pain. He was immediately escorted off the court as Warriors fans held their breath inside Chase Center. Sports medicine doctor's insight on Jimmy Butler's injury Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer, in a video breakdown of Butler's injury, noted that in the worst-case scenario, Butler could be facing a serious ACL injury. That worst-case scenario has now been confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, as Butler’s season is officially over following a right ACL tear. Best-case scenario for Jimmy Butler In the best-case scenario, he might have only a sprain or a partial tear, with a possible MCL injury as a more favorable outcome. "Best-case scenario: it could be a sprain or a partial tear. The MCL, located on the inside of the knee, could also be involved, which would be a more optimal outcome. Meniscus tears can accompany ACL injuries, but the ACL is our main concern," Sutterer said in his breakdown. Worst-case scenario for Jimmy Butler's injury "Another worrying factor is Butler's reaction. Players often feel a pop when they tear an ACL, and you can see how quickly Butler reacted as his knee went inward. He didn't get hit, so this reaction strongly suggests a significant knee injury." "I hope I'm wrong. Initial physical exams are usually reliable before swelling sets in. This is about 15-20 minutes post-injury, so the team likely already has a sense of knee stability. Reports about significant concern often come from these early exams, like the Lachman test or anterior drawer test, which assess ACL integrity," he noted. Before exiting the game, the star forward tallied 17 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes. Jimmy Butler knee injuries history Over the course of his career, Butler has endured two serious right knee injuries. A meniscus tear required surgery in 2018, while an MCL sprain kept him out of Miami's playoff run in 2024. In 38 appearances this season, Butler has averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Meanwhile, after their latest win against the Heat, the Warriors are currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference with a 25-19 record. Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.