Kentucky Wildcats’ point guard Lamont Butler re-aggravated a persistent shoulder injury during the SEC Tournament second-round game against Oklahoma, leading to his early exit after just eight minutes of play. Head coach Mark Pope confirmed that Butler underwent imaging and manual testing at halftime, with further evaluations pending to determine the injury’s severity.
This setback is particularly concerning as Butler has been managing this shoulder issue since mid-January, causing him to miss multiple games throughout the season. His presence is pivotal for the Wildcats, especially with fellow guards Kerr Kriisa and Jaxson Robinson already sidelined for the season. Butler’s contributions include an average of 11.9 points and 4.4 assists over 23 games this season.
In Butler’s absence, Kentucky narrowly secured an 85-84 victory over Oklahoma, thanks to a last-second shot by Otega Oweh. The Wildcats are scheduled to face Alabama next in the SEC Tournament. However, Butler has been officially ruled out for this matchup, raising concerns about Kentucky’s depth and ball-handling capabilities in the critical stages of the postseason.
Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky maintains a projected 3-seed in the latest bracketology updates. The team’s performance in the SEC Tournament could influence their final seeding. Coach Pope emphasized that Butler’s health is the priority, stating, “I’m not going to put him in harm’s way, for sure.” The coaching staff and medical team are closely monitoring Butler’s condition to make informed decisions about his participation in upcoming games.
The Wildcats are preparing contingency plans, relying on other players to step up in Butler’s absence. The team and fans remain hopeful for a favorable prognosis that would allow Butler to return for the NCAA Tournament, but his status remains uncertain pending further medical evaluations.
