This is pretty big news for the NBA’s Eastern Conference Playoff race. Out since February 18th after suffering a knee injury against the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Jimmy Butler will return to the court this weekend.
Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago is reporting that Butler’s return will come Saturday when Chicago hosts the Houston Rockets.
The Bulls enter Thursday’s action with a 30-30 record and on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race.
They have posted a 3-8 record, including four consecutive losses, in Butler’s absence. During that very same span, Chicago has yielded 100-plus points in all 11 games.
For comparison’s sake, the team had given up triple digits points in just over half its games prior to Butler’s injury.
Butler, a fifth-year pro out of Marquette is averaging a career high 21.3 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 46 percent in 48 games this season.
Chicago has posted a 26-22 record with him on the court this season.