Philadelphia 76ers star Jimmy Butler will officially return to the starting lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
Butler was a game-time decision heading into Sunday's matchup due to a strained groin, but according to Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey, the star is back in the lineup:
.@JimmyButler listed in #Sixers’ starting lineup.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 16, 2018
Butler has not played since the Dec. 10 game against the Detroit Pistons, where he was on the court for just 10 minutes before being sidelined with the injury.
He has given this team a tremendous boost since coming over from the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Butler now averaging 20.4 points and 5.2 rebounds on the season. Prior to leaving the game against the Pistons, he had racked up back-to-back 38-point games and seemed to really be hitting his groove with his new team.
The Sixers will hope that he can pick up where he left off in the matchup against the Cavs, as Philly has lost two straight with Butler out of the lineup.
But it has still been a very good start for this Sixers group this season, with Brett Brown's squad holding a 19-11 record while sitting at second overall in the Atlantic Division.
This figures to be an important stretch of games for Butler and company considering the locations and the opponents.
The Sixers will play seven of their next nine games on the road, with home games against the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors on the schedule prior to Christmas.
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