Report: Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (elbow) out 3-4 weeks

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler could miss three to four weeks with an elbow sprain, but he isn't expected to need surgery, according to a report.

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler could miss three to four weeks with an elbow sprain, but he isn't expected to need surgery, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Butler was scheduled to have an MRI on his left elbow after being injured in Sunday's 96-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Chicago Tribunereported.

Butler hyperextended his elbow in the third quarter when he ran into a screen set by Clippers forward DeAndre Jordan. He scored 10 points before leaving the game for good with the injury.

It's the latest blow for the Bulls, who are already without point guard Derrick Rose. Rose is expected to miss at least the next four weeks after having surgery on his right knee.

• GOLLIVER: Jimmy Butler: Running The Gauntlet

Forward Taj Gibson did not play against the Clippers because of an ankle injury, and Pau Gasol played despite battling an illness. Gasol was mostly ineffective on the offensive end against the Clippers, scoring only four points, but he grabbed 15 rebounds.

"You've just got to find a way to win," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "Doesn't matter who is out. That game was winnable down the stretch and we didn't get it done."

Butler is the team's leading scorer this season, averaging 20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 55 games.

Chicago (37-23) is third in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Toronto Raptors for second place and a half-game ahead of the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers.

- Scooby Axson