Jimmy Butler Injury: Updates on Bulls Star's Heel and Return

Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler had been dealing with a heel injury that has kept him out of action since Feb. 3. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Butler to Play vs. Suns

Friday, Feb. 10

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported Butler will play Friday against Phoenix.

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Butler Essential to Bulls' Playoff Hopes 

Butler steadily improved during each of his first five seasons, and after Derrick Rose's departure to the New York Knicks, he has emerged as one of the league's best players.

In 48 games in 2016-17, Butler is averaging 24.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest. He's also shooting 45.7 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, which is up from his 31.2 percent mark in 2015-16.

Butler's emergence comes at a time when the Bulls are stuck in NBA purgatory. They might be good enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs, but they're unlikely to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics for supremacy in the East.