Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich will return to the Chicago Bulls' lineup when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Christmas Day, the team announced Wednesday morning. Luol Deng remains out with an Achilles injury.
Bulls injury update: Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich return to lineup Christmas Day; Luol Deng out
Butler (ankle) and Hinrich (back) are good to go against the Nets, while Deng (Achilles) is still ailing.
Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Spor
Butler missed the Bulls' last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a sprained right ankle. The third-year swingman has been hampered by foot injuries for much of the season, as he missed 11 games earlier in the year because of turf toe.
Hinrich returns to the lineup after missing five games due to back spasms. Prior to that injury, Hinrich was thrust into the starting point guard role after Derrick Rose went down for the season due to a torn meniscus. Hinrich has really struggled with his shooting this season, connecting on just 33.7 percent of his shots overall and 29.1 percent from three.
With Hinrich back, recent signee D.J. Augustin will return to the bench. Augustin showed some nice flashes as the starting point guard, including an 18-point, 10-assist effort in the win over the Cavs on Saturday night.
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