Butler: 'Doing my best to hurry back'

It seems unusual for attention to be focused on an injured Bulls player other than Derrick Rose. But that was the sad circumstance Tuesday when Jimmy Butler met with reporters after morning shootaround.

Butler is expected to miss 3 to 6 weeks with a left elbow sprain. The injury occurred when he ran into a screen on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I'm doing all right," Butler said. "I'm just doing my best to hurry back; being careful, of course. My ligament just has to heal and I've got to be able to move my left arm like I can move my right before I can get out there and do anything.

"It was devastating for me. I hate missing games. I want to be out there with my team. Injuries happen, so I've got to get back as soon as possible."

Butler's injury happened two days after Rose had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Both players are hoping to return before the regular season ends.

"There's not too much we can really do about it. Injuries happen," Butler said. "We're athletes, we push our bodies to the limit each and every year. Unfortunately, they do happen. We just have to deal with it. I think we have enough guys on this team and the group of guys we have, they're all supportive. Nobody gets mad at anybody because they're hurt, because they know it happens."

Maybe it seems to happen to the Bulls more than other teams, but Butler's injury was a fluke. Likewise, Taj Gibson is out with a sprained left ankle after stepping on an opponent's foot last Friday against Minnesota.

McDermott checks in:

Since returning from arthroscopic knee surgery, rookie Doug McDermott has made brief appearances in six games, playing a total of 1 minutes. Jimmy Butler's injury is a chance to give McDermott a second look. The sharpshooter from Creighton entered Tuesday's game late in the first quarter to a loud ovation. He played 15 minutes and didn't score, but forced a couple of turnovers on defense.

"This will be a good opportunity for him and we'll see where he is," coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. "I like Doug a lot. He'll do well. He's got a great attitude, he's got a great approach. Unfortunately, he got hit with the injury. But he's done a good job. He's going to be a good pro."

Asked if McDermott is back to 100 percent healthy, Thibodeau said it appeared he is.

"I think he's moving well right now," Thibodeau said. "We'll have a better idea after the game."

Butler sees bright side:

Jimmy Butler tried to find a silver lining to being sidelined with an elbow injury.

"I think this is a good time to get everything right that was nagging," he said. "And then whenever it is that my elbow is back, hopefully my body is back up to par also."