CHICAGO -- With the season opening game just three days away, Jimmy Butler's status remains uncertain due to the sprained ligaments in his left thumb.

Butler had the thumb wrapped heavily Sunday. He didn’t practice with the team, but he was taking jump shots after practice and seemed to be making progress toward being available for Wednesday’s game at New York against the New York Knicks.

Coach Tom Thibodeau was non-committal about his guard’s status, though.

“Yeah, he’s a little better,” Thibodeau said. “We’ll see where he is, so that’s a good sign.’’

Thibodeau said that it’s not like he has to make a decision on Butler in advance in order to fashion a gameplan for the Knicks and admitted that he could wait to until the last minute to decide on his lineup for the opener.

“Yeah, it really is day-by-day,” Butler said. “Other than that, there’s not much to say. It’s better than it was. He’s got it taped up, but he didn’t practice. He’s shooting, and that’s about it. But it’s encouraging that it’s a little better."

If Butler does not start Wednesday, Kirk Hinrich is expected to take the floor in the backcourt at the outset along with Derrick Rose. The Bulls don't play again until Friday at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers.