MINNEAPOLIS -- All-Star guard Jimmy Butler scored 21 points in his return to the Minnesota Timberwolves' lineup Saturday night after missing four games with soreness in his right knee.
Butler went 4-of-14 from the field and 12-of-14 from the free throw line. He added 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block as the Wolves won 111-97.
"Like a bum," Butler said of his shooting. "I couldn't buy a basket. But, hey, there's other ways to change the game. So, I'll be all right. Go get some work in tomorrow, come out firing again."
Although Butler wasn't satisfied with his performance, Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau noted how much of an impact Butler makes simply by being on the court.
"The intensity is so much different," Thibodeau said. "I thought first game back, a lot of big plays. When the game was in the balance, he made big play after big play."
Butler worked out before the game against Brooklyn, getting final clearance to make his return. Butler was named an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season. He entered Saturday averaging 21.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his first season in Minnesota.
Butler has missed six games this season, with the Timberwolves (32-20) going 2-4 without him in the lineup.
Brooklyn was without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (right groin strain), Caris LeVert (sore left groin) and D'Angelo Russell (return from injury management).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
