CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade will not play Tuesday night against the Toronto Raptors because of a right wrist injury.
Wade, who injured both wrists during a fall in Friday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, will miss his second consecutive game.
Wade had an MRI on Monday and Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he would have a clearer explanation for those results before Tuesday’s game. Hoiberg didn’t sound too concerned and said there was a chance Wade would play on Thursday against the Boston Celtics.
“No long-term damage,” Hoiberg said of what was revealed in the MRI.
Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, who sat out Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves because of ongoing right heel issues, went through shootaround and is expected to play Tuesday. Butler, who missed three games after injuring the heel in a Feb. 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, scored 20 points in the win over the Suns, but admitted he still had pain.
“He looked good today in shootaround,” Hoiberg said of Butler. “Had a good workout [Monday], so hoping we can get him back in the lineup tonight.”
Hoiberg said there will be no restrictions on Butler, but he will be watched closely if he does play.
“He’s got a little bit of pain, there’s no doubt about that,” Hoiberg said. “Especially being on the bottom of his foot. It’s a spot where it absorbs a lot of impact over the course of a game. A lot of it will be based on feel, how he’s doing, communicating with him. He’s not on a minutes restriction per se, but it’s going to be a lot of communication with how he’s doing out there.”
The Bulls will also be without Niko Mirotic (back spasms) and Paul Zipser (ankle tendinitis). Hoiberg said Zipser, who is now in a walking boot, is out until after the All-Star break and that there is a chance Mirotic may play on Thursday, but he could be out until after the break as well.
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