Back at the all-star break, the Minnesota Timberwolves were were 36-26 and appeared destined to break a 13-year postseason drought behind new acquisition Jimmy Butler. Then a torn meniscus took Butler out of the lineup and sent the Wolves back to mediocrity, leaving them clinging to the West’s final playoff spot.
Jimmy Butler is coming back from injury just when the Timberwolves need him most
Minnesota is locked in a three-way battle for two playoff spots — but help is coming.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Help is on its way.
Butler is set to return from his knee injury Friday night, according to a report from the New York Times. He’ll take the floor as Minnesota travels to Los Angeles for a pivotal game against the Lakers. It will be his first game since Feb. 23.
The Timberwolves need all the help they can get. At 44-35, they hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference; only a tiebreaker keeps them ahead of the Denver Nuggets, who sport an identical record and defeated Minnesota at home Thursday night. Winning out is the only way to ensure the Timberwolves their spot in the playoffs, and having Butler is a significant boost. According to 82games.com, the team has outscored opponents by 8.1 points per 100 possessions with Butler on the court, but been outscored by 5.7 points when he sits.
Minnesota will close out its regular season with two favorable matchups — against the lottery-bound Lakers and Grizzlies — before a home game against the Nuggets. Denver got the better of that matchup in Colorado Thursday night, but the Timberwolves should have their biggest weapon back on the court when these teams meet again — potentially with a playoff berth on the line.
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