Butler pours in season-high 52 to lead Bulls past Hornets

Jimmy Butler flat out refused to let the Chicago Bulls lose Monday night.

With Dwyane Wade sidelined thanks to a swollen knee, in a game in which they trailed for the majority of the second half, Butler put the Bulls on his back and lugged them past the Charlotte Hornets with one of the most electrifying performances of the season.

Butler carved up the Hornets to the tune of 52 points - one shy of his career high, and the most he's ever scored in a regulation game - on 15-of-24 shooting to lead his team to a come-from-behind 118-111 victory.

The Butler did it all in this one. On top of his torrid shooting, explosive drives to the hoop, and repeated invitations of contact (he went 21-of-22 from the free-throw line), Butler hauled in 12 rebounds (including three at the offensive end), dished six assists, ripped three steals, and blocked a shot. He scored 17 of the Bulls' final 21 points, iced the game with a sweeping layup and consecutive contested 21-foot jumpers in the final two minutes, and then locked down Nicolas Batum at the other end for good measure.

It was an altogether transcendent performance to kick off the new year, for a slumping Bulls team in desperate need of a shot in the arm.