Jimmy Butler anticipates getting back on the court for the playoffs.
The Timberwolves guard could make his return before the end of the regular season barring any setbacks with his rehabilitation, ESPN reported.
"I can't give you the exact date, but I want to come back and I want to help," Butler said Sunday as he made his first appearance on the bench since getting hurt. "I just want to play. I feel like I've done this long enough to know that I can still go out there and make something happen. Now, I promise you I'll be out of shape. I promise you that. But just getting out there and getting back in a rhythm of things, that's going to come natural."
Butler underwent surgery on his right knee last month after suffering a meniscal injury in a Feb. 23 game against the Rockets and was given a recovery timetable of four to six weeks.
Butler, 28, was averaging 22.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game prior to being sidelined.
The Timberwolves (40-31) have gone 4-5 without Butler in the lineup.
