Jimmy Butler To Miss Season Opener, Could Be Out Longer

(CBS) Bulls wing Jimmy Butler will miss tonight’s season opener against the Knicks, Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters at Wednesday morning’s shootaround, and he could be out up to several more weeks.

Butler has sprained ligaments in his left thumb and is still limited offensively in what he can do with the ball. Thibodeau originally said Wednesday that Butler could be out for two to four weeks, then backtracked a bit and said it would be more like one to three weeks, according to the Tribune’s K.C. Johnson. As is his mindset, Butler told reporters he’s still hoping to play Friday when the Bulls host Cavaliers.

Butler hasn’t practiced since suffering the injury on Oct. 19 in a preseason game against the Hornets, instead doing more individual work. Butler was injured when he got his left hand in a passing lane and the ball deflected off his fingers.

His thumb has been in a wrap, which he may have to play with when he eventually does make his season debut. The time frame for his recovery is longer than the Bulls originally anticipated — or at least let on.

“My thumb has to be able to hold up and not reinjure itself,” Butler said Tuesday.

Butler’s injury comes as his representatives and the Bulls continue negotiations for a contract extension before Friday night’s deadline. If Butler doesn’t sign an extension by Friday night, he’ll become a restricted free agent next summer. He’s previously said he wants to remain in Chicago, and he’s shot down the idea that his injury will in any way affect negotiations.

Mike Dunleavy will likely have to take on a greater defensive responsibility with Butler out, and this figures to open up more minutes for rookie forward Doug McDermott. Chicago faces big challenges in its first two games, with New York’s Carmelo Anthony waiting tonight and Cleveland and LeBron James visiting the United Center on Friday.