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Minnesota Timberwolves: Will Jimmy Butler be back for the playoffs?

Michael Saenz|
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

Injured Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler is reportedly telling people he will be back for the NBA playoffs, which is just weeks away

Last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves endured a major blow to their playoff hopes. Jimmy Butler went down with a non-contact knee injury, and it appeared that his season would be over.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Butler had a meniscus injury that would require surgery.

The good news was that it wasn’t a torn ACL, but the bad news was that he will likely miss 4-6 weeks, at least.

Interestingly, Jimmy Butler is reportedly telling people that he will be back for the playoffs – assuming the Wolves can close the regular season, without Butler, and clinch the postseason.

The Wolves have roughly 20 games remaining on its schedule, and are 37-26 and sitting in the 4th seed of the Western Conference. Even though it would seem unlikely, even without Jimmy Butler in the lineup, that the Wolves would drop from a top 4 seed in the West to completely miss the playoffs, think again.

Minnesota and the 9th-seeded LA Clippers are only separated by one game in the loss column. The Wolves and the 10th-seeded Utah Jazz are only separated by three games in the loss column.

Even though there are only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, one extended losing streak or a slump of losing 4 of 6 could end up being a death blow to this team’s playoff hopes.

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Of their 19 official games remaining on its schedule, the Wolves face 12 playoff teams. That’s not exactly an easy end to the season, nor the one you’d want to see when a team just lost its best player.

After the season that the Minnesota Timberwolves put together this season, it would be a real shame for this team to miss out of the postseason completely. It’s really unfortunate. Where this could really turn tragic is if Jimmy B elects the shorter recovery procedure (if that’s indeed what happened here) and the Wolves don’t even make the playoffs.

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