Jimmy Butler Out for the Season with ACL Injury, What Are His Stats So Far

The Golden State Warriors received devastating news on Wednesday, 21 January regarding their star forward, Jimmy Butler. After leaving the court in visible pain during Monday night's match against the Miami Heat, MRI scans have confirmed the worst fears of the team and its fans. Butler has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The team announced that he will undergo surgery later this week and will miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 NBA season.

The injury occurred in the third quarter as Butler contested a pass and collided with Miami's Davion Mitchell, landing awkwardly on his leg and immediately collapsed to the floor, clutching his knee. The Chase Center fell silent as the veteran All-Star was attended to by medical staff for several minutes before being helped to the changing rooms. This injury serves as a massive setback for the Warriors, who were on a strong run of form, winning 12 of their last 16 games.

Comparing the Numbers: A Dip in Scoring, A Rise in Playmaking

To understand the impact of losing Butler, one must look at his contributions on paper. Before this season-ending injury, Butler was playing a pivotal role in the Warriors' system.

In the 38 matches he played this season, he averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. While his scoring numbers had dipped slightly compared to previous years, his efficiency was high, shooting 49 per cent from the field.

Comparing this to his 2024-2025 campaign, the shift in his game was clear. Last season, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. The statistics show that as he aged, he transitioned into more of a facilitator role for the Warriors, setting up teammates like Stephen Curry rather than carrying the scoring load himself.

His defensive stats remained elite, averaging 1.6 steals per game this season, nearly identical to the 1.7 steals he averaged the year prior. Losing this level of two-way production leaves a gap in the lineup that will be incredibly difficult to fill.

The Long Road to Recovery

An ACL tear is one of the most dreaded injuries in professional sport, particularly for a player in their mid-30s. Medical experts state that the recovery time for ACL reconstruction surgery is significant. The rehabilitation process typically takes between nine to twelve months. For a basketball player, this means learning to trust the knee again when cutting, jumping, and landing.

Given the timing of the injury in January 2026, Butler is unlikely to return to the court until the middle of the 2026-2027 season.

At 36 years old, the recovery becomes even more challenging. Physiotherapists note that while modern medicine allows athletes to return to 100 per cent fitness, the loss of speed and agility is a common concern for older players returning from major knee surgeries. Butler faces a gruelling year of physical therapy to get back to his All-Star form.

He posted on his Instagram an optimistic message saying 'last night 44/82 be back before you know it'.

Reactions from Around the League

The news of Butler's injury sent shockwaves through the NBA, with teammates and rivals alike expressing their support. Stephen Curry, the Warriors' captain, spoke to the press shortly after the announcement. 'It is just heartbreaking,' Curry said. 'Jimmy is the heart and soul of our defence. To see him go down like that is tough for everyone. We have to rally around him, but it is a huge loss for our group.'

Other players took to social media to wish Butler well. Joel Embiid, a former teammate of Butler, posted, 'Prayers up for my brother. You will be back stronger.' The respect Butler commands across the league is immense, known for his relentless work ethic and competitive nature.

While the Warriors must now look to their bench to salvage their season, the focus for Butler shifts entirely to his health and the long journey of rehabilitation that lies ahead.