Jimmy Butler Cleared for Contact as Knee Injury Rehab Progresses

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau announced Saturday that Jimmy Butler has been cleared for contact as he works his way back from a knee injury, according to T'Wolves announcer Alan Horton.

Butler underwent surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his right knee Feb. 25.

He's missed Minnesota's past 15 games and has sat out a total of 21 contests this season.

In 56 appearances, the 28-year-old swingman is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He is also shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from long range.

Butler spent the first six seasons of his career with the Chicago Bulls before they shipped him to Minnesota in an offseason trade.

The T'Wolves are in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04, which would end the NBA's longest current postseason drought.

Minnesota is fifth in the Western Conference at 44-33, and it holds a 2.5-game lead over the ninth-placed Los Angeles Clippers.

Until Butler returns, Nemanja Bjelica will continue to see increased minutes.