NEW YORK (AP) — Kirk Hinrich has returned to the Chicago Bulls’ starting lineup against the Nets after missing the last five games with an ailing back.
Chicago also got Jimmy Butler back Wednesday after he sat out the win over Cleveland on Friday with a right ankle injury. Butler joined Hinrich in the starting lineup.
The Bulls were still missing Luol Deng, who has an injured left Achilles tendon. Deng, averaging 19.6 points, has missed the last three games.
Brooklyn was still without Andrei Kirilenko, who has been sidelined this season with a back injury. According to Nets coach Jason Kidd, the forward is making progress. Brooklyn will be without Brook Lopez for the rest of the season after he broke his right foot in Friday’s loss to Philadelphia.
