Jimmy Butler Active vs. Nuggets After Missing 16 Games with Knee Injury

Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler was active Thursday after missing 16 games with a torn meniscus, but he didn't see the floor in a 100-96 loss to the Denver Nuggets. 

Harrison Wind of BSN Denver reported the news before Minnesota's key Northwest Division matchup. The Timberwolves entered the game leading the Nuggets by one game for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The 28-year-old first suffered the injury on Feb. 23 and had an expected recovery time of four to six weeks. His return comes one day short of six weeks.

Butler was listed as doubtful for Thursday's game, but the guard noted on Tuesday he was "this close" to returning to the court, per Dave Campbell of the Associated Press (via the Star Tribune)

"You've got to risk it for the biscuit, and I'm ready to do that," Butler said. "I want to be in the playoffs. I want to continue to play. I'm not saying I'm the only reason we're going to make it. But I think the chances are a little bit higher if I'm out there."

As a four-time All-Star who leads the team with 22.2 points per game this season to go with 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, he should make a significant impact.

This comes at the right time for Minnesota, which entered Thursday 6-8 in the last 14 games. The squad is still in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but it's barely holding on with four games remaining.

Even if Butler is less than 100 percent, his presence on both ends of the court should go a long way toward securing a spot in the postseason.