Butler rests vs. Jazz with ‘soreness’

All-Star forward Jimmy Butler sat out the Timberwolves’ home game against the Jazz on Wednesday night for what coach and team president Tom Thibodeau called “precautionary rest.”

Thibodeau told reporters at the morning shootaround that Butler’s absence wasn’t related to his trade request.

“He missed all of training camp, basically, so he has just general soreness,” Thibodeau said.

Butler told ESPN he planned to travel with the team on its five-game road trip that begins Friday against the Warriors and that he plans to play against the two-time defending league champions.

Bucks All-Star F Giannis Antetokounmpo cleared the concussion protocol after practice and was cleared to play in Thursday’s game against the Celtics. Antetokounmpo missed Monday’s victory over the Raptors after suffering a concussion during Saturday’s victory over the Magic when he was elbowed in the head by FAaron Gordon.