After rumors surfaced yesterday that Caron Butler, who has been out since January with a ruptured patellar tendon, would attempt to play in the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Lakers, head coach of the Mavericks Rick Carlisle stated today there is ‘zero’ chance Butler will suit up in the second round.
Speaking yesterday to Dallas’ ESPN affiliate 103.3 FM Carlisle said that Butler will not be ready in time to face the Lakers. Carlisle added that Butler still has yet to be cleared by a doctor.
Whether Carlisle is being completely honest with this diagnosis is unknown, but considering the severity of Butler’s injury it would still be surprising if he made it back in time to face the Lakers.
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