Jimmy Butler injury update, Jimmy Butler
Feb 23, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler (23) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. USA TODAY Sports / Troy Taormina

With just 11 games left in the regular season, Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler is optimistic about his chances of returning before the playoffs. The eighth-seeded Timberwolves, who own a 40-31 record, are currently just one-and-a-half games ahead of the ninth-seeded Denver Nuggets (38-32).

Butler suffered a right knee meniscus injury during his team's 120-102 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 23. After Butler underwent emergency surgery on Feb. 25, the Timberwolves estimated the All-Star's recovery time at four to six weeks. Going by that timetable, Butler could return for the final two games of the Timberwolves season.

"I can't give you the exact date, but I want to come back and I want to help. I have a little bit of time left, but I know my guys are going to stick this thing out and do what they've been doing, keep us in this race. And when I come back, we'll see what we have left in the tank," Butler said after his team's 129-120 defeat to the Rockets on Sunday (Monday AEDT). Butler sat courtside with his teammates for the first time since the injury.

Jimmy Butler injury update: Timberwolves star eyeing return

Butler, who arrived in Minnesota last year via trade, revealed that he has been doing some running and shooting as part of his rehabilitation process. "I just want to play. I feel like I've done this long enough to know that I can still go out there and make something happen. Now, I promise you I'll be out of shape. I promise you that. But just getting out there and getting back in a rhythm of things, that's going to come natural," the former Chicago Bulls star said, via ESPN.

The Timberwolves have gone 4-5 since Butler went down with the injury. Minnesota hasn't been in the postseason for 13 consecutive seasons, not since the Kevin Garnett era. "Never nervous (about missing playoffs). I'm confident when I'm out there on the floor with those guys. When I'm not, I'm still confident. I know what they're capable of. I know how everybody wants to do great things, how they want to see this organization in the playoffs, and they're going to do everything in their will and their power to make it happen."

Jimmy Butler, a seventh-year swingman, was averaging 22.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists before undergoing knee surgery. Will Butler make it back in time for the 2018 NBA Playoffs which get underway on April 14? Stay tuned for the latest Jimmy Butler injury update.