The final stretch of the regular season is the most brutal for the Golden State Warriors. After two of its biggest stars landed on the injury list for extended periods, the role players are crumbling. Yet the Dubs’ bench in Washington looked crowded tonight. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are accompanying their team on this East Coast road trip. And after they won 117-125 over the Wizards, it was the ideal time to catch up with Butler, who was quick to reveal that he was on heavy medication.

The Warriors veteran revealed that he only recently received medical clearance to fly due to concerns about blood clots and swelling.

“I finally got to fly, I don’t know, blood clot, blood thinner, all of that good stuff,” Butler said. “I was like, I got to go be around my guys. I don’t give a damn where it’s at. If I could be there, I wanted to be here.”

Butler, who was acquired from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline last season, got hurt while playing against his former team on January 19. He underwent successful surgery on February 9. While the 36-year-old admitted to the immense difficulty of being away from the court, his primary message was one of optimism and a refusal to rush a return that is still months away.

“I just had surgery on my ACL five weeks ago,” Butler told reporters. “But all in all, I’m good, man. Happy. Feeling great.”

When asked about how the five weeks since the surgery have been, Butler had one word: “Tough.”

The worst part of it was being away from the team and the court while working with the Dubs’ medical staff.

“Not been around my guys, hard,” Butler said. “I’ve been able to play a game that I love. And I’ve been able to travel. Tough, but the rehab has been going. We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing to try to get back on the timeline that we talked about getting back home.”

Despite Butler’s eagerness to contribute, he was firm that he would not set a definitive return date.

Jimmy Butler’s promise, amid being close to a big milestone in his recovery

As the Warriors’ playoff contention hangs by a thread, they’re waiting for Stephen Curry to return from the runner’s knee. There’s no rush to get back Jimmy Butler, who will most likely return next season. When he does, there will be a sense of urgency to maximize Curry’s remaining window in the Bay Area. Despite the dire circumstances, though, Butler is not trying to rush the timeline.

“Whenever my body’s ready, like this one of all other injuries, major, minor, whenever my body’s ready, I promise I’m trying to get back out there,” Butler said.

For now, Butler’s travel will be limited to ensure the high-altitude pressure doesn’t aggravate the swelling. He promised to “settle down” in his rehab in Southern California and make occasional appearances at Chase Center.

“I’m just going to focus in on me and come back the best version of myself,” Butler said.

Regardless, the veteran forward’s presence on the bench, along with Curry‘s, provided a morale boost for a shorthanded Warriors squad. While Butler’s season is officially over, his focus has shifted toward a meticulous rehabilitation program that he tracks via a “fancy chart” of weekly milestones on his wall.

As per his chart, he is exactly one week away from a major milestone: ditching his crutches.

“My next step is getting rid of these crutches,” Butler said. “I’m supposed to be done with those at 6 weeks. So, a week from today.”

Butler arrived at the Indian Wells Open on his crutches last week to support Carlos Alcaraz. While there, he also confirmed that he’s not in a hurry despite Alcaraz’s eagerness for a game on the court or the clay.