Optimistic Bulls see some improvement in Butler's knee
There was no definitive news on the Bulls' injury situation Tuesday, but also no reason to panic. Not yet, anyway.
The Bulls held a light practice at the Advocate Center, along with a scheduled memorabilia signing session. Jimmy Butler did not speak to reporters, leaving coach Fred Hoiberg to share an optimistic update.
"Jimmy feels quite a bit better this morning," Hoiberg said after Tuesday's practice. "His swelling has gone down and he feels a lot better than he did last night."
Butler returned Saturday after missing 11 games with a left-knee strain. Everything went well that night as Butler produced 24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a win over Houston. But his knee swelled up and he skipped Monday's game against Milwaukee.
The Bulls pulled together for a 100-90 victory, stretching their winning streak to two. After the game, Taj Gibson reflected on the Bulls' recent history of injuries and wondered if someone had put a spell on the franchise.
Others wonder about the wisdom of playing someone heavy minutes in the first game back from an injury layoff. Butler played 34 minutes Saturday against the Rockets.
Former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau faced similar questions about Derrick Rose over the years, and Tuesday it was Hoiberg's turn to defend the team's medical plan.
"We didn't just throw him out there and say, 'All right, go see how you do,' " Hoiberg said. "We put a lot of time and effort into seeing how he was going to feel going into that game, and he responded well.
"He was exploding. He had no limitations. He had a couple dunks coming down in transition; he caught a lob from Pau (Gasol). Everything went according to plan.
"Then, unfortunately, what happens sometimes in these situations is he got a little bit of swelling in it. Again, it feels much better today. It doesn't look like there's anything structurally wrong with the knee. We'll see how he is these next couple days leading into Thursday."
There were a couple of new injuries during Monday's game. Rookie Bobby Portis was struck below the left eye by Milwaukee's Jabari Parker after a foul.
As Portis left the locker room after the victory, his left eye was swollen shut, so he will need some improvement before he's able to play. The injury was called a left-orbital contusion, not as serious as the orbital fracture Rose suffered in training camp.
"He (Portis) doesn't have much vision right now," Hoiberg said. "They don't think there's anything wrong with the cornea or anything like that. He's just a little blurry today. But he should be fine moving forward."
Aaron Brooks didn't play in the second half Monday due to right-knee patellar tendinitis. Brooks was on the floor shooting baskets after Tuesday's practice, so he obviously was feeling better.
The Bulls have some tough games coming up, starting Thursday in San Antonio, where the Spurs are 30-0 this season. Then the Bulls play again Friday against Miami at the United Center, followed by a three-day trip to Toronto and Washington.
"Guys have been battle-tested," Taj Gibson said Monday. "Just being tough, man; just having the will to win."
• Get the latest Bulls news via Twitter @McGrawDHBulls.