While the Chicago Bulls continue to battle for their playoff lives back east, two of their best players will remain sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks. 

Sidelined since late January after undergoing an appendectomy, Nikola Mirotic has missed the past 11 games. He suffered what is said to be a setback in recovery, and there's no real timetable for his return. 

The second-year big man is averaging 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. 

In what's bigger news for the Bulls (and the fantasy world), Jimmy Butler will also be sidelined for the next couple weeks after suffering a knee injury against the Denver Nuggets back in early February. He's been out the past five games, a stretch that has seen Chicago drop four outings. 

From a fantasy perspective, the injury to Mirotic has given rookie Bobby Portis an opportunity to prove his worth. He's averaging 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over the past nine games. 

Replacing Butler has been the bigger issue, and is one of the primary reasons Chicago has now dropped into playoff contention mode after being considered a lock for the postseason earlier in the year. Having to rely on Aaron Brooks and E'Twaun Moore for substantial minutes has been the primary issue there.