Bulls' Jimmy Butler back from injury, gets double-double in win

ByNick Friedell ESPN logo
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CHICAGO -- All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler returned for the Chicago Bulls in the team's 105-94 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Butler, who injured his right heel in a Feb. 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, missed four of the past five games because of ongoing issues with the heel. He scored 20 points in a Feb. 10 win over the Phoenix Suns, but did not play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

He finished with 19 points -- going 15-for-19 from the free throw line. He also added 12 assists.

"He feels good," Hoiberg said before the game. "He feels good. There will be a lot of communication when he's out there on the floor. We'll determine how many minutes he plays tonight. but there's no restrictions on minutes so we'll see how he's doing and go from there."

Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (wrist), Nikola Mirotic (back) and Paul Zipser (ankle tendinitis) did not play vs. the Raptors.

Wade had an MRI on Monday that showed "no long-term damage," according to Hoiberg. It is unclear if Wade will be able to play in Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics.