Warriors' Jimmy Butler undergoes knee surgery

The All-Star guard will miss significant time after tearing his right ACL.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Jimmy Butler, the star guard for the Golden State Warriors, underwent surgery on Monday to repair a torn right ACL. The injury occurred during a recent game, and Butler is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming NBA season as he recovers from the procedure.

Why it matters

Butler is a key player for the Warriors, who are looking to contend for an NBA championship this season. His absence will be a major blow to the team's title hopes, as he is one of the league's premier two-way players.

The details

According to the team, Butler suffered the ACL tear during the Warriors' game against the Los Angeles Lakers last week. He immediately left the court and underwent further evaluation, which confirmed the severity of the injury. The surgery was performed by the team's medical staff, and Butler is expected to begin a lengthy rehabilitation process in the coming weeks.

  • Butler was injured during the Warriors' game against the Lakers on February 5, 2026.
  • He underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL on February 9, 2026.

The players

Jimmy Butler

An All-Star guard for the Golden State Warriors who is known for his two-way play and leadership on the court.

Golden State Warriors

An NBA franchise based in San Francisco, California that is one of the league's premier teams and a perennial championship contender.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Jimmy is a huge blow, but we know he'll attack his rehab with the same intensity he brings to the court every night. We're confident he'll come back stronger than ever.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors (nhregister.com)

What’s next

The Warriors will need to adjust their lineup and rotations to account for Butler's absence, and they will closely monitor his progress during the rehabilitation process. The team is hopeful that Butler will be able to return to the court at some point later in the season.

The takeaway

This injury is a significant setback for the Warriors, who were counting on Butler to be a key contributor as they chase another NBA championship. The team's depth and ability to adapt will be tested, but they remain optimistic that Butler will make a full recovery and rejoin the lineup later in the season.