OAKLAND, Calif. – After an eventful Wednesday in which there was speculation over the reason behind Jimmy Butler's absence from the Timberwolves lineup, Butler was back on the floor Friday with team against Golden State.
Butler missed Wednesday's victory over the Jazz for what coach Tom Thibodeau called "precautionary rest," and it might not be the last time he misses a game for that purpose as he tries to stay healthy while the Wolves work out a trade for him.
But he was on the floor Friday as the Wolves tried to win on the road for the first time this season.
Also returning to the lineup was guard Tyus Jones, who missed Wednesday's game after he was a late scratch because of a right foot injury during warmups. Jones had his foot wrapped in an ice bag after shootaround but said he was ready to play.
Wolves point guard Jeff Teague missed his second consecutive game because of a left knee bruise. Thibodeau said Teague's status to return was "day to day."
"He's got to let it clear up a little bit and we'll go from there," Thibodeau said.
Butler could be in line to miss another of the Wolves' upcoming games either Sunday or Monday. The Wolves rested Butler the first week of the season against the Mavericks when they were playing the second end of consecutive games. The Wolves play Portland on Sunday and the Clippers on Monday.
"We'll see how he feels," Thibodeau said.
