The Chicago Bulls have been dealt another significant blow, with news that All-Star guard Jimmy Butler will miss between three and six weeks due to a ulnar ligament sprain in his left elbow.
Butler suffered this injury in Monday’s 96-86 loss to the L.A. Clippers.
The injury was sustained in the third quarter from a legal DeAndre Jordan screen while Butler was defending Clippers guard Chris Paul.
Butler is set to watch the Bulls from the stands alongside fellow teammate and star Derrick Rose.
Since the possible season-ending injury to Rose, the Bulls have lost two of three, and now with their two first-choice guards injured, it leaves a large talent and experience hole in the Chicago line-up.
A three-week layoff for Butler will see him miss a total of 12 games, and it is likely in that time the Cleveland Cavaliers will leapfrog the Bulls into third in the Eastern Conference due to the MVP form of LeBron James.
Butler has managed to start all 55 games for the Bulls this season, and averages the most minutes per game in the league, 38.9. This statistic proves how much of an asset and consistent performer he has been for Chicago.
Furthermore, Butler averages a team high 20.2 points per game, while also ranking ninth in the NBA in steals per game, 1.73. One can only hope that the hole Butler will leave won’t be too big to fill.
The good news for Bulls fans is that they are unlikely to fall any further in the standings thanks to the current poor form of fellow playoff hopefuls the Washington Wizards, especially if Chicago wins at least half of those 12 games.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that Butler will not need to undergo surgery, a welcome relief in tough times.
It may be simple for Jimmy Butler to return after injury, however the question still remains whether he can recapture his All-Star form.
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