National Basketball Association

Bulls' Jimmy Butler out of skills challenge, may play All-Star Game

Published Feb. 12, 2015 4:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler plans to play in the NBA All-Star Game but has dropped out of the skills challenge because of a strained right shoulder.

Agent Happy Walters says Butler expects to play in the game on Sunday. A first-time All-Star, Butler is averaging 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.

He aggravated the shoulder during the first half of Tuesday's win over Sacramento and sat out the final two quarters.

The Bulls ruled him out for Thursday's 113-98 win over Cleveland. They extended their East lead to 1.5 games over the Cavaliers, who had won 14 of 15.