CHICAGO -- Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler did not play Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his status for Sunday night's All-Star Game is in question because of a right shoulder strain.
Butler initially injured the shoulder during Sunday's win over the Orlando Magic and tweaked it again in the first half of Tuesday's win over the Sacramento Kings.
An MRI on Wednesday confirmed the strain.
"If he can [play in the All-Star Game], he'll participate," coach Tom Thibodeau said after Thursday's shootaround. "I guess we have to wait 'til then ... hopefully [the shoulder injury] will be short-term."
Butler's agent, Happy Walters, confirmed a Real GM report that Butler would be dropping out of Saturday night's All-Star Skills Challenge at Barclays Center. The hope is that Butler will continue to rehab his shoulder and be able to play limited minutes in Sunday's game.
In other Bulls injury news, veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich remains out because of a turf toe injury on his left foot.
