Butler Eyes G League Rehab Game in ACL Recovery

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler intends to play at least one game for the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors while rehabbing a torn right ACL suffered in January; he had surgery in February. The 37-year-old has no publicly confirmed NBA return date, and the plan requires clearance from the Warriors’ medical staff. Coach Steve Kerr supports the idea, comparing it to minor-league rehab assignments in baseball, while reports say general manager Mike Dunleavy may oppose it. NBA players have practiced with G League affiliates but rarely played in an actual game as part of an injury return, making a rehab game by a star of Butler’s stature unprecedented.