Bulls' Nikola Mirotic Available Against Rockets

By Cody Westerlund--

(CBS) In a surprising twist, Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic will dress and is available to play Saturday night against the Rockets at the United Center, coach Fred Hoiberg said.

Mirotic has missed the past 16 games after having an appendectomy in late January and a follow-up surgery several days later because of complications from the first one. It was thought that he was at least another week or two away from a return.

Hoiberg joked that Mirotic taking a charge in Friday's practice -- "It might be the first one of his life," Hoiberg said -- was a telling sign that he was ready to play.

"He will be on a limit, but he made it through full-contact practice yesterday and the medical staff is comfortable with him being in uniform tonight," Hoiberg said.

"As far as how his stomach's feeling and the incision where he had that second surgery, he feels good enough to go out and give it a try."

Mirotic is averaging 10.6 points, fourth-best on the team.

Additionally, All-Star wing Jimmy Butler and forward Taj Gibson will return to the starting lineup for the Bulls. Butler won't be on a specific minutes limit, but the Bulls will closely monitor him, Hoiberg said.