Jimmy Butler doubtful vs. Hawks on Wednesday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bulls are still waiting for a definitive prognosis for Jimmy Butler’s sprained knee. He’s day-to-day until further notice.

Butler missed his second consecutive game — the Bulls 108-91 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena — after suffering a sprained left knee in the second quarter against the Nuggets. The only update is that “he feels better.” Coach Fred Hoiberg said it is doubtful that Butler will play Wednesday when the Bulls return home after their seven-game road trip to play the Atlanta Hawks.

“Jimmy is receiving treatment [in Chicago],” Hoiberg said prior to Monday night’s game against the Hornets. “We still don’t have a time frame on [it]. The important thing is that he’s feeling better than he was a couple of days ago.”

Asked why there was no timetable three days after the injury, Hoiberg said, “That’s a good question. It is what it is right now. A lot of it is based on how he recovers.”

Hoiberg said he is hopeful Butler’s injury will not be long term, but would not rule out surgery down the road. “He’s still got a lot of stiffness in it,” Hoiberg said. “It was an injury that had a lot of pain associated with it. Hopefully he can continue to improve every day, understanding that there’s going to be a lot of soreness involved with this injury.”