Kentucky’s thrilling 85-84 win over Oklahoma in the second round of the SEC Tournament came at a cost. Star guard Lamont Butler left the game after just eight minutes of action, spending time on the sideline being evaluated before eventually heading to the locker room. He never returned.
Head coach Mark Pope provided a concerning update during his halftime interview. “Yeah, so we did some imaging at halftime, some manual testing. We'll know more probably by tomorrow. We'll know a little more.”
While specifics remain unclear, social media buzz on X (formerly Twitter) suggests Butler is out for the remainder of the SEC Tournament but might have a chance to return for the NCAA Tournament next week. With Kentucky’s postseason aspirations on the line, that possibility offers a glimmer of hope to fans.
Pope’s emotions were evident during the post-game press conference. “It's like a gut punch. You're dealing with that emotion but trying to put it away so you can stay focused on the game. Our guys did an unbelievable job of doing that.”
The Wildcats’ guard depth has already taken a hit with backup point guard Kerr Kriisa and Jaxson Robinson sidelined. If Butler can’t go, the pressure falls heavily on Chandler and Travis Perry to step up as primary ball handlers. Kentucky’s SEC Tournament run continues, but their hopes of making a deep NCAA Tournament push could hinge on Butler’s health.
Mark Pope made it clear that while he hopes Butler can return, his health remains the priority. “I mean, I'm not going to put him in harm's way for sure. It’s hard ’cause this matters... We'll make the best decisions for Lamont that we can, for sure.”
For now, the Wildcats will have to prepare for life without their star guard and hope the imaging results bring good news. Until then, fans will be holding their breath, waiting for that precious word: clearance.