Bulls' Butler out for remainder of preseason with sprained thumb
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters
An MRI has confirmed a sprained thumb for Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, the team announced on Tuesday.
Butler, who sustained the injury in Sunday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets, will miss Chicago's final preseason game and will not practice with the team this week.
The Bulls take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in their preseason finale on Friday, and Butler will be reevaluated after that.
The Bulls open their regular season on Oct. 29 against the New York Knicks, with Butler expected to fill the team's starting shooting guard role. His perimeter defense would be sorely missed should Chicago have to open the season without him.