WASHINGTON D.C. — Jimmy Butler would’ve rejoined the Golden State Warriors before Monday night, but he hadn’t been cleared to travel yet as he rehabilitates his torn right ACL.

“Blood clot. Blood thinner. All of that good stuff,” he said from the visiting locker room inside Capital One Arena, where Golden State played the Washington Wizards. “I got to fly, so I was like ‘I’ve got to go be around my guys. I don’t give a damn where it’s at. If I could be there I want to be there.’ So, I’m glad I’m in the District of Columbia.”

Five weeks removed from surgery and still in need of crutches for one more week, Butler joined his teammates in their locker room Monday — bringing his smile and optimism with him from his San Diego home. Butler said “there’s some wonderful guys that (are) taking advantage of their opportunity” for the undermanned Warriors, who’ve been without him since Jan. 19.

“That was me at one point back in my Chicago days so I get very happy and it makes me smile when I see people play well,” Butler said, clad in a charcoal crewneck sweater, a white backwards cap and a black do-rag.

“I’ve got my family around, kids around, and I just know that I’m working back toward something. So, it keeps it all in perspective.”

Butler didn’t have a target date for his return to play in 2026-27 — the final year on his contract with Golden State — but vowed that he plans to play as soon as his right knee returns to form. He wasn’t concerned about being dealt by the Warriors at the NBA’s trade deadline, he said, noting he’s “not looped in” discussions for deals. He also said he’s pleased to see former teammate Jonathan Kuminga playing well for the Atlanta Hawks, to whom he was traded for Kristaps Porzingis.

“He’s playing at a high level. I would like to think that’s what everybody wants from him anyways,” Butler added.

As for his rehab, Butler said there’s a “fancy chart hanging up on the wall to talk about week by week” with improving flexion and range of motion serving as the next progression. He’s eager to ditch the crutches, too, and also for his imminent return to the Bay, a much shorter flight than Washington D.C.

“Rehab is about competing… but it’s competing to see if you can be better than you were yesterday,” Butler said. “It makes me lock in because I at least get to compete that way.”