Westerlund: Bulls' Butler Day-To-Day With Rib Contusion
By Cody Westerlund-
(CBS) Bulls starting wing Jimmy Butler left during the first quarter of Fridays' 117-89 win against the Nuggets at the United Center with a rib contusion and didn't return. He is questionable for Sunday's game at Miami, with coach Tom Thibodeau calling him "day-to-day."
Butler injured a rib on his right side, but it isn't broken, Thibodeau said. The injury happened during a drive to the hoop during the first quarter in which Butler took a hard fall to the floor while converting an acrobatic layup while being fouled. After a stoppage in play, Butler knocked down the ensuing free throw and followed soon after with a 3-pointer from the right corner. But he was holding his rib before and after the 3-pointer, and he didn't make the return trip down the floor to play defense.
The Bulls will make a decision Saturday morning on whether Butler will fly to Miami with the team, Thibodeau said.
"It's one of those things with a rib, you don't know how (it will feel)," Thibodeau said.
"We're hopeful."
Cody Westerlund is sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.