Caron Butler Returns To Clippers' Lineup Despite Fractured Hand

Caron Butler Injury Update: Clippers' Forward To Start Game 3 Despite Fractured Hand

Caron Butler earned the name "Tuff Juice" during his time with the Washington Wizards several years ago, and he is still living up to that nickname. Butler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, will start the team's critical Game 3 of their 2012 NBA Playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies despite having a fractured left hand. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times has the news.

The decision was made after Butler practiced Friday and after he saw a hand specialist Thursday, the sources said. Butler, who is right-handed, did some shooting at practice with a brace on his hand.

Butler suffered the injury in the Clippers' Game 1 win, and without him, Los Angeles struggled to guard Rudy Gay in a Game 2 loss. The original diagnosis suggested a 4-6-week timetable for his recovery, according to Turner. Instead, Butler will return to the lineup in six days.

Game 3 between the Clippers and Grizzlies is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Caron Butler Injury: Clippers' Forward Fractures Hand During Game 1 Vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Clippers are already getting dismantled by the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their 2012 NBA Playoffs first-round series, and the news just keeps getting worse. Starting small forward Caron Butler suffered a fractured left hand in the third quarter and is likely to miss a lot of time with the injury.

It's not immediately clear when Butler suffered the injury, but he was taken out of the game for good with two minutes and 38 seconds left in the third quarter. The team announced the news shortly thereafter.

The injury is another in a long line of ailments for Butler throughout his 10-year career. Last year, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, he missed the entire playoffs after hurting his knee in December. He also fractured his left hand back in 2007 as a member of the Washington Wizards, derailing a promising season. Butler had signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Clippers in the offseason and had worked very hard to get back to full health following the knee injury with Dallas.

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