Blogs.Bulls.com

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler missed practice on Tuesday with a right toe injury and will have an MRI this afternoon to better determine the extent of it.

Butler is officially listed as day-to-day with Chicago playing the first of six games on the road Thursday in Denver.

Through nine games, Butler is averaging 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.8 minutes.

As for Butler’s availability on the trip, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was uncertain, though he did confirm that X-rays were negative.

“I don’t know,” said Thibodeau of Butler’s status. “I want to see what they have to say after the MRI. We’ll know more this afternoon.”

Thibodeau reported the team, currently on a five-game winning streak, watched film before shooting and offensive work.

Butler suffered the injury during Monday’s victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

If Butler isn’t able to play, Thibodeau said he has yet to determine who would fill in for him at shooting guard.

When asked about the prospects of playing without Butler, Derrick Rose expressed confidence in his team’s ability to pick up the slack.

“Jimmy is someone we’re definitely going to miss, especially with his energy and defense,” said Rose. “He’s been knocking down shots. But the way our team is, if one guy goes down, the other guy has to step up and do a great job. That’s Mike Dunleavy, Kirk [Hinrich] or myself if I’m playing the two. We’ve just got to fill in for him.”

Audio—Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau meets the media following practice (11.19.2013):

Audio—Bulls guard Derrick Rose on his play as of late and the upcoming road trip (11.19.2013):