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Butler out with sprained thumb

CHICAGO -- Jimmy Butler will miss the rest of Sunday night's preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets after he injured his left thumb. The injury, dubbed a sprained thumb by the Chicago Bulls, occurred with about five minutes left in the first quarter, when Butler went for a steal. He stayed in the game at the time but was taken out toward the end of the first quarter and never returned.

Butler, who is having the best preseason stretch of his career, has been the Bulls' most consistent all-around player since training camp opened.

Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said Butler would be re-evaluated Monday. While Thibodeau wasn't sure of the exact protocol, it's likely Butler will get an MRI to make sure his ligaments are intact. Thibodeau did say there was some swelling in the thumb.

"It's a sprain," Thibodeau said. "So they'll know more [Monday]. We'll see."

As for Butler's availability Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thibodeau said that would be determined later.

"I don't know yet," Thibodeau said. "[Athletic trainer Jeff Tanaka] basically told me it's day-to-day right now, until they can re-examine him and then go from there."