Jan 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) loos on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) loos on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Golden State Warriors may have struck out on all the best targets, but this summer hasn’t been all bad for the iconic NBA franchise. On the injury front, several of their critical players have made progress on a return to action: Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
After they went down last season, the Warriors struggled to stay afloat in the crowded Western Conference. But now, according to a new report by Clutch Points, they are moving toward a quick return that’s going way ahead of schedule.
“ Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, when are they going to be back? So far, so good for both of them; they’ve been looking good in their workouts, they’ve been progressing nicely, and there’s been no setbacks to this point,” reported Brett Seigel. “We’ve even heard some small hints about Jimmy Butler being ahead of schedule. Does this mean he’s gonna be back in December, early January? We don’t know yet; there’s no timeline that this team has put on these guys. We do know they’re ahead of schedule right now. Jimmy Butler is looking good, and he’s aiming to be back before the trade deadline.”
Injuries have decimated the Warriors in recent years, pushing the franchise into difficult times. After going 37-45 last season (10th in the West), the team can no longer be considered contenders, but the return of Butler and Moody could help them stay competitive until they have an opportunity to make serious roster upgrades.
At 36 years old, Jimmy Butler is in the twilight of his career, and nobody knows what to expect from him going forward. After tearing his ACL in January, he’s been hard at work in the gym to restore his mobility and build up the strength in his leg. It’s been a difficult process for Butler, but the dedication has paid off, as he’s aiming for a return before February’s All-Star break. Last season, in 38 games, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 51.9% shooting from the field.
Moses Moody is also taking positive steps toward his return. He tore his left patellar tendon back in March, resulting in surgery a few days later. Like Butler, his injury typically requires a 9-12 month recovery time, but he has expedited the timeline after weeks of rehab and workouts. While not a star, Moody provides crucial depth for the Warriors, and he proved he could deliver big numbers last season, with averages of 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 44.0% shooting.
The Warriors will be the first to admit that they are hopelessly outmatched in the Western Conference, but they are desperate to change their position for Steph Curry’s sake. As the iconic point guard nears the end of his career, the Warriors want to give him the ending he deserves. On that front, the Warriors have failed on several counts, but a healthy roster might be all they need to gain some traction and re-enter the playoff picture in the West. That’s why, as quickly as Butler and Moody are progressing, the Warriors will not risk an early return if it jeopardizes their long-term availability.