Bulls' Butler hopeful for All-Star Game despite shoulder injury

Despite sitting out the final game before the All-Star break due to a right shoulder strain, Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler remains hopeful he'll be able to suit up for his first All-Star Game.

"I hope to play in the game on Sunday. I think I'll be out there," Butler said Friday, as reported by ESPN's Nick Friedell. "I don't want to miss an All-Star Game. This is the first one (for me). They don't come easy in this league, that's for sure."

Butler has already surrendered his spot in All-Star Saturday's skills competition to Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, and believes this year's prolonged All-Star break will allow his shoulder time to heal.

"It's a long time that I have to recover from all of this, so I think I'll be fine," Butler said.

The Bulls don't play again until Feb. 20 against the Detroit Pistons.

Butler is posting career highs across the board for the 34-20 Bulls, averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists with a true shooting percentage of 58.1.