Chicago Bulls All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler will play Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets.
“Looks like he could be a go,” coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday at shootaround, when Butler worked with Chicago’s starters, bouncing Tony Snell back to a bench role.
Butler injured his elbow March 1 in a 96-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and was expected to miss 3-6 weeks. Chicago was 5-6 in 11 games without him.
Butler is leading the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game.
His return comes in the same week as forward Taj Gibson getting back in the mix for the Bulls.
Point guard Derrick Rose continues to participate in non-contact drills at practice and could be cleared for full basketball activity, including contact drills, by the end of the week.