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Bulls to honor ’91 championship team Saturday night

The Bulls have held special halftime ceremonies honoring Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause, while an entire television special was devoted to Michael Jordan’s first retirement.

Now it’s time for the first official team reunion in Bulls history. The 1991 championship team will be honored at halftime of tonight’s game against Utah.

Michael Jordan is planning to be on hand to join Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, John Paxson, Stacey King, Craig Hodges, Will Perdue, Cliff Levingston, Scott Williams, Dennis Hopson and assistant coach Johnny Bach.

Grant got an early start. He was courtside during the Bulls’ victory over Atlanta on Friday, sitting next to Pippen during the second half.

“Just getting to see the guys again and the fans here,” Grant said when asked what he’s most looking forward to about the reunion. “Reflecting, joking and laughing — that’s what times like this should be about.”

A couple of important figures will be missing. Coach Phil Jackson will be leading the Lakers against Dallas on Saturday night, while center Bill Cartwright is busy as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns.

Since Jackson is insisting this is final season on the bench, he should have no trouble getting back for the ’92 reunion. The only player change the Bulls would need to make if they do this again next year is Bobby Hansen instead of Hopson.

Thomas returns to lineup:

Carlos Boozer skipped Friday’s game, as expected, with a sprained left ankle. So coach Tom Thibodeau dusted off veteran Kurt Thomas and sent him into the starting lineup.

Thomas, 38, provided a heroic effort, starting 29 games at center while Joakim Noah was out with a thumb injury. But Thomas hadn’t played since Feb. 23 in Toronto, Noah’s first game back. Thomas didn’t show much rust, grabbing 13 rebounds against the Hawks.

“It’s about being a professional,” Thomas said. “Knowing your job, continuing to come to work every day, work hard in practice. When you get an opportunity to play in the games, you just have to go out there and play hard and be successful.”

Thibodeau said Boozer’s injury was “a lot better.” But it seems very unlikely he’ll play against the Jazz on Saturday.

Butler checks in:

Rasual Butler finally made his Bulls debut, checking in for the final 2:33 of Friday’s contest. His new teammates set him up for two straight open looks from 3-point range. Butler hit the second shot to finish with 3 points.