Report: Butler to undergo surgery, could return in 4-6 weeks

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler has opted to undergo surgery to repair his torn meniscus, and is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks, sources told Yahoo's Shams Charania.

The early end of that timetable would put him on track to return for the final eight or so games of the regular season, while the longer end would see him return just in time for the start of the playoffs.

Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau declined to speculate about a possible return date, but Butler has been telling people he plans to be back for the postseason, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

There is, of course, no guarantee Minnesota will have any postseason games to play. It faces a difficult closing schedule and currently has just a three-game cushion on the ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers, with just one game separating the two teams in the loss column.

The Wolves will need to figure out how to play defense without Butler on the floor, something they've categorically failed to do so far this season.