Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler out 4 weeks with hurt knee

Chicago Bulls All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler is expected to miss the next three to four weeks with a strained left knee.

According the Bulls, Butler has already started his rehabilitation and "will be allowed to engage in all activities as tolerated with the primary goal of maintaining his conditioning over the ensuing weeks".

Butler landed awkwardly during the Bulls' loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday and promptly underwent an MRI on Saturday, which revealed a left knee strain after the team believed it was a hyperextension.

As a result, Butler will miss the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto on Sunday after being selected as a reserve to the East squad by the Eastern Conference coaches.

Bulls team-mate Pau Gasol will replace Butler on the All-Star roster.