Jimmy Butler will miss an extended period of time of three to six weeks after Monday’s MRI exam confirmed “a Grade 2/3 ulnar ligament sprain and small bone impaction injury to the left elbow,” the Bulls said in a release.
utler suffered the injury during Sunday’s loss to the Clippers when he ran into a DeAndre Jordanscreen in the third quarter. He didn’t return.
Butler won’t need surgery, one source said. So his absence will be determined by how well the injury responds to treatment and rest.
Butler’s injury comes on the heels of Derrick Rose’s knee surgery, which will sideline him for four to six weeks. The banged-up Bulls also are without Taj Gibson, whose sprained left ankle is in a walking boot.
The Bulls have a roster spot available.
Butler, who earned his first All-Star appearance this season, leads the Bulls in scoring at 20.2 points per game. He’s also the team’s best defender and leads the NBA in minutes.