Bulls' Butler seeks second opinion on sore knee
Before testing his injured left knee in another NBA game, Bulls guard Jimmy Butler decided to get a second opinion from renowned specialist Dr. James Andrews.
According to coach Fred Hoiberg, Butler planned to fly to Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, then see Andrews on Thursday morning. Butler won't be with the Bulls in San Antonio, but there's a chance he could play Friday against Miami at the United Center.
"Jimmy felt pretty good this morning," Hoiberg said Wednesday at the Advocate Center. "Came in last night, got in a workout. We'll hopefully get some news tomorrow and then confer with everybody and get a plan together."
Everything remains relatively optimistic for Butler's recovery. He missed 11 games with a left knee strain, returned against Houston last Saturday, then had swelling in the knee and skipped Monday's win over Milwaukee.
Still, Butler opting for a second opinion indicates there is concern about the knee.
"The swelling is pretty much gone now," Hoiberg said." He's just got a little bit of pain on the back of that knee and we just want to be safe with it.
"Everybody agrees that it's a good idea to go down there and just get an opinion from one of the top doctors in the world. … He'll see one of the best in the world when it comes to orthopedics. (Andrews) and (Bulls team physician) Dr. (Brian) Cole are very close. I know they collaborate a lot. I know they'll send all the pictures down to him and we'll have a better idea of how everything is in the morning."
Butler has had two MRI exams on the left knee, so if there was any structural damage, doctors should have caught it already. Butler is the Bulls' top scorer at 22.4 points per game and their best individual defender.
Brooks, Portis should play:
There was better news on two of the Bulls' other injured players. Aaron Brooks (right patellar tendinitis) will be available Thursday in San Antonio. Rookie Bobby Portis (left orbital contusion) will make the trip and may play.
Portis' eye was swollen shut after he was struck accidentally by Milwaukee's Jabari Parker on Monday. He participated in Wednesday's light practice and did extra shooting when it was over.
"Bobby saw the eye doctor this morning," Hoiberg said. "He's a little bit blurry in there. A lot of that had to do with they dilated his pupil, which we've all had done. It's a weird feeling when you do it for the first time, so hopefully Bobby will be able to play (Thursday) without any restrictions."
Holiday goes to work:
Bulls newcomer Justin Holiday played 17 minutes against Milwaukee and seems to have taken over Tony Snell's spot in the rotation. With the Bulls in dire need of another strong wing defender, coach Fred Hoiberg was asked how Holiday has fared in his first seven games with the team.
"He really battles," Hoiberg said. "He defended (Dwyane) Wade as well as anybody when we played down there in Miami. He's got length. He's going to go out there and compete. He's smart, he knows where to be, and I think that's been a bright spot for Justin. He's gotten an opportunity with Jimmy (Butler) out, and he's going to have to give us minutes the rest of the year."
Bulls scouting report
Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center, 7 p.m. Thursday
TV: TNT
Radio: ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: The Spurs are a perfect 30-0 at home this season, but are 0-1 against the Bulls, having lost 92-89 at the United Center on Nov. 30. San Antonio had an eight-game win streak snapped at Indiana on Monday, then won in Minnesota 116-91 the following night. Coach Gregg Popovich missed both games for personal reasons, but is expected to be back on the bench for this game. PG Tony Parker missed the Timberwolves game with a left toe contusion, and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili sat out because it was the second leg of back-to-back games. SF Kawhi Leonard leads the Spurs at 20.8 ppg, followed by PF LaMarcus Aldridge with 17.4 ppg. San Antonio officially signed former Minnesota SG Kevin Martin on Wednesday and released Rasual Butler.
Next: Miami Heat on Friday at the United Center on Friday, 7 p.m.
- Mike McGraw