In what has become an incredibly unfortunate theme for the Chicago Bulls over the last handful of years, a star guard suffered a knee injury and we’re left waiting on an MRI to determine its severity.
However, this time the injury wasn’t suffered by Derrick Rose, who believe it or not is the only usual Bulls starter still healthy enough to play in the team’s Friday night game against the Denver Nuggets.
It was Jimmy Butler — the Bulls’ lone 2016 All-Star representative in the middle of the best season of his constantly improving career — that suffered a left knee sprain after taking a hard fall on a layup attempt that he was fouled on in the second quarter:
Jimmy Butler down and being put into a wheel chair after hard fall pic.twitter.com/KmXup9sUBP
— Rob Perezingis (@World_Wide_Wob) February 6, 2016
The Pepsi Center staff brought out a wheelchair for Butler after he stayed down on the ground for a while, and he insisted on shooting his free throws first rather than immediately leaving in the wheelchair:
Jimmy Butler gets OUT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR to shoot his free throws 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/k1ZvBbX8xu — Rob Perezingis (@World_Wide_Wob) February 6, 2016
Butler then got back in the wheelchair and was eventually ruled out for the game after the Bulls’ training staff gave the left knee sprain diagnosis.
Jimmy Butler being carted away pic.twitter.com/oKeWIWYcZG
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) February 6, 2016
Jimmy Butler has a left knee sprain and will not return tonight.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 6, 2016
This is actually the same left knee Butler had been dealing with issues of tendinitis, which had him labeled as “questionable” to play in Friday night’s game:
The left knee is the same knee Butler has been having issues with. He missed Wednesday’s game because of left knee tendinitis. — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 6, 2016
But, this injury of course looks like much more than tendinitis, and we’re basically left just hoping the MRI doesn’t say he has a severe knee injury (like a torn ACL).
Despite the injury, Butler still showed his sense of humor just minutes after leaving the game:
Butler actually had a good sense of humor as he limped into locker room telling staff, “Ya’ll get me the Forrest Gump knee brace.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 6, 2016
Insisting on shooting free throws while a wheelchair is waiting on him, and referencing Forrest Gump just minutes after the injury? How can’t you love this guy? Let’s hope the injury isn’t serious and the 26-year-old can continue his outstanding season.
UPDATE: CSN Chicago Bulls insider Vincent Goodwill is hearing that it’s a hyperextended knee, and Butler could return next week (would obviously sit out the All-Star Game though):
Source says Butler hyperextended his knee. Will probably sit tomorrow but will likely play Monday or Wednesday
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) February 6, 2016
The upcoming MRI will give us the real answer, but if it’s just a hyperextended knee, that would be a huge sigh of relief for Butler and the Bulls.
SECOND UPDATE (Saturday evening):
Bulls say knee strain for Jimmy Butler. Timeline to return will be determined by doctors after response to treatment
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) February 6, 2016
In other words…breathe, Bulls fans. Sounds like he'll rest for a couple games then get back
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) February 6, 2016
[Photo credit: ChicagoTribune]