UPDATE:
Hoiberg says Butler will have an MRI in Minneapolis tomorrow. Initial checkup from doctors here is that ligaments are intact, just a sprain.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 6, 2016
Jimmy Butler was taken off the floor on a stretcher late in the first half against the Nuggets on Friday night after driving to the basket, drawing contact from Denver big man Joffery Lauvergne and landing awkwardly on the floor. Butler had x-rays on his left knee at halftime and will not return.
Here's a look at the play:
Jimmy Butler goes down hard. pic.twitter.com/BWiTpNFH1M
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) February 6, 2016
The medical staff brought a stretcher out for Butler, but he chose to stay in the game to shoot two free throws. He split the foul shots, then the Bulls had to intentionally foul so Butler could leave the court on the stretcher. It was a sad sight.
Jimmy Butler shoots 2 free throws goes back on the cart/chair and leaves. pic.twitter.com/2K3t3HTcbc
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) February 6, 2016
Jimmy Butler being carted away pic.twitter.com/oKeWIWYcZG
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) February 6, 2016
Jimmy Butler walking/limping with Pau Gasol. pic.twitter.com/89ih6Etspv
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) February 6, 2016
This looks like a left leg injury, likely the knee. You will remember that Butler missed the Bulls' last game with tendinitis in that knee:
Noah injury hurts shoulder, comes back too early and re aggravated. Butler hurts left knee, comes back after one game and clutches left leg
— thehungarianjordan (@hungarianjordan) February 6, 2016
The Bulls were already playing without Joakim Noah, Nikola Mirotic, Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy. It just got much worse. Butler has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain. Hopefully Jimmy is OK.