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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler is out due to “precautionary rest” for tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jimmy Butler will not play tonight due to precautionary rest. Derrick Rose (left ankle soreness) has been upgraded to PROBABLE. #Twolves
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 4, 2018
Coach Tom Thibodeau announced the decision after morning shootaround on Sunday.
This is the second game in the past week Butler has missed due to rest after he sat out the Timberwolves’ 128-125 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Before the game against Utah, Thibodeau told reporters that Butler’s absence was not related to his trade request.
“He missed all of training camp, basically, so he has just general soreness,” Thibodeau said last week.
On Sunday morning, Thibodeau also announced guard Derrick Rose has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game. Rose tweaked his left ankle in the team’s 116-99 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday. He’s a game-time decision tonight.
Prior to the injury, Rose dropped a career-high 50 points on Utah to help lead the Timberwolves to victory.
