CHICAGO -- Jimmy Butler did not play in the second half of Tuesday night's 104-86 win over the Sacramento Kings because of a right shoulder strain and Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged that Butler will likely get an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.
"[He'll] probably have an MRI [Wednesday]," Thibodeau said. "He's got soreness, so hopefully he'll be better tomorrow."
Butler did not speak to reporters after the game, but admitted that his shoulder was hurting as he walked to the back part of the locker room.
The Bulls' All-Star swingman did not come out for warmups in the second half after tweaking the same injury he sustained in Sunday night's win over the Orlando Magic. Butler initially injured the shoulder in the first half of Sunday's game, only to return in the second half with tape on the shoulder.
He finished the night with five points, two rebounds and two assists. He is scheduled to participate in Saturday night's All-Star skills challenge and Sunday night's All-Star Game in New York City.
The good news for the Bulls is that veteran small forward Mike Dunleavy returned to the starting lineup after missing the last 19 games because of a right ankle injury. Dunleavy scored five points in just over 24 minutes of action.
"I felt real good," Dunleavy said. "Physically, everything was good. I was pleased. I felt like my rhythm and my conditioning was fine. So hopefully I just keep building and going in the right direction."
The Bulls face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.