Lamont Butler injury update: ESPN broadcast gives unfortunate update on Kentucky star

Rupp Arena collectively held its breath when Lamont Butler was on the ground with an injury. The Kentucky guard has been one of the team’s top players, playing completely differently when he is on the court. But Butler was forced to the locker room and has just returned to the sideline.

Unfortunately, his night is over. ESPN’s Molly McGrath overheard Butler telling teammates he would not check back into the game against Tennessee. She added Kentucky confirmed the left shoulder is once again the issue for Butler.

“When Butler came out of the locker room, all of his teammates looked at him and they asked him if he would return,” McGrath said. “He shook his head and said ‘No.’ And we did confirm it is a reaggravation of that left shoulder injury.”

No matter how Tuesday’s game turns out, the question with Butler becomes about his health in the future. Three of the next four games are on the road, beginning with Saturday vs. Vanderbilt. Butler has already missed multiple games this year.

Head coach Mark Pope will surely have an update during his postgame press conference.

Kentucky star Lamont Butler leaves game for locker room

With just over eight minutes remaining in the second half, Kentucky star Lamont Butler has left for the locker room. Attempting to dive for a loose ball playing defense against Tennessee, Butler awkwardly fell around his shoulder area. It’s something that has bothered him in recent times and is once again an issue on Tuesday.

Not too long after, Tennessee was able to tie the score at 54. A tight game is expected down the stretch and not having Butler out there would be a massive loss for Kentucky. Hopefully, the injury is nothing serious and he is able to get back on the court.

“It’s feeling alright. I’m ready to go for this game tomorrow,” Butler said ahead of Tuesday’s game on his shoulder injury via On3’s KSR. “It’s feeling alright, yeah. It did not (feel great after his return). It was a little bit sore, but it’s still feeling good. It’s good enough for me to play.”

Butler is averaging 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Because of other injuries on the roster, he is the only point guard Kentucky has available at times. Finding somebody to facilitate the offense — plus the elite defense Butler plays — has been a difficult challenge for head coach Mark Pope.