Lamont Butler tears meniscus and ACL, out for the season

NBA: Preseason-Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks — Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat guard Ethan Thompson (55) looks for the pass against Atlanta Hawks guard Lamont Butler (15) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

A Kentucky fan favorite has had a rough go of it to begin his professional career, injuries keeping him off the floor this summer before being limited to just one preseason game with the Atlanta Hawks. Now, Lamont Butler is out for the year with a brutal knee injury, tearing both his meniscus and ACL.

He quickly signed a deal with the Hawks after going undrafted and the plan was for him to be a staple with the franchise’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, even after he was waived on October 19. That will no longer be the case — not this year, anyway.

“Well, this is tough to say but I will be out for the season with a Torn Meniscus and Torn ACL,” Butler sadly announced. “I was super excited to start the season with the Skyhawks and ready to show why I deserve to be on this stage and more. Had been battling injuries throughout last season and even this summer and had finally got fully healthy to be myself on the court again. One wrong tweak and now it’s a change of plans.”

It’s devastating for a player who also had his final year of eligibility derailed due to injury, dealing with shoulder and ankle issues to keep him off the floor much more than anyone hoped for when he signed with the Wildcats. He was a game-changer, but he deserved more.

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Now, he’s dealing with the next setback.

“God will be with me every step of the way in this journey of recovery,” Butler continued. “I have such great support around me and I’m motivated to attack this battle. Please continue to send prayers for a speedy recovery. Until then I will still be smiling and spreading my love. See y’all next season.”

Just heartbreaking stuff for the former Cat.

Well, this is tough to say but I will be out for the season with a Torn Meniscus and Torn ACL. I was super excited to start the season with the Skyhawks and ready to show why I deserve to be on this stage and more. Had been battling injuries throughout last season and even this… pic.twitter.com/RuPmlk25Cv
— Lamont Butler (@lamont_butler1) October 29, 2025

Butler thrived in his lone appearance with the Hawks in 2025-26, finishing with 18 points (5-15 FG; 3-7 3PT), six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes off the bench in a single preseason game. It was about what you came to expect in his on-court appearances after a successful season in Lexington, averaging career-highs in points (11.4), assists (4.3) and rebounds (2.9) with shooting splits of 50/39/74. When healthy, he was a one-man wrecking crew in the blue and white — and that’s after hitting a game-winner in the Final Four at San Diego State to help lead the Aztecs to the 2023 national championship game.

He’s too good with a heart even bigger to keep him off the floor too long. It’s certainly a setback and our hearts break for him at KSR HQ, but we all know the comeback will be even sweeter for the Cardinal Killer.

Get back soon, Lamont.