NBA · Live Wire
Warriors face extended waits for Butler and Moody
Jimmy Butler is not expected back until at least January, while Moses Moody’s projected absence runs into December as both recover from knee injuries.
Lead
The Golden State Warriors have two documented knee-related absences, with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both appearing on injury listings dated 5 October 2026. Source Source
Butler is expected to remain sidelined until at least 2 January 2027 because of a knee injury. Source
Moody is managing a knee injury and is projected to be unavailable until at least 1 December 2026. Source
Those respective dates put both players on lengthy recovery outlooks, with Moody’s stated minimum return point preceding Butler’s by more than a month. Source
The diagnosis
Butler’s injury is listed as a knee issue, while a separate availability report says Golden State are hoping for his return early in 2027. Source Source
For Moody, one injury listing identifies a knee injury, while another provides a more specific description: he is recovering from a ruptured left patellar tendon. Source Source
Moody has advanced to light on-court activities during that rehabilitation process. Source
The available reports set projected return windows for both players, but they do not present either as cleared for game action. Source Source
Sporting impact
The timing of the listed absences means Moody is currently projected to become available before Butler, should each player meet the reported minimum timeline. Source
Golden State’s injury picture therefore contains two simultaneous knee-related cases, with one target date in December and the other extending into January. Source Source
The supplied availability reporting focuses on rehabilitation and projected dates rather than identifying replacements, revised roles or restrictions upon either player’s eventual return. Source Source
Notes
Exact return dates remain uncertain because Butler is listed as out until at least 2 January while the other report frames his return as hoped for early in 2027. Source Source
Moody’s reporting also varies in its level of diagnostic detail, from a general knee designation to the ruptured left patellar tendon description. Source Source
Neither report supplies an injury grade for Butler or a precise game target for either player beyond the stated availability windows. Source Source
Key facts
4 data points