Butler makes surprise return: Clippers forward Caron Butler, who suffered a fracture in his left hand during Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs in Memphis last Sunday that was expected to keep him out for four to six weeks, was surprisingly in the starting lineup for Game 3 on Saturday. Butler played 22 minutes in the game, scoring four points with three rebounds, however he said before the game that the chance to help the team win was worth playing through the pain. "Being able to go out there and support my team is the most important thing to me," Butler said in a statement before the game. "I can play through the pain if it means I can help us take the lead in the series." The Clippers would win the game, 87-86 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. (Updated 05/05/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Butler was cleared to play after going through shootaround on Saturday before the game, and he sported a soft, protective cast on the hand. Before the game, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro told reporters that the team underestimated Butler’s toughness when they declared him out for a month-plus. Now the issue will be making sure he does not suffer a setback that could make the injury worse, however he did go to a hand specialist on the off day and was cleared to play. He will likely have to have his minutes watched to keep him healthy from here on out, so he should be considered just a low-end Fantasy option for the remainder of the postseason. (Updated 05/05/2012).
05/16/2012 00:20 Spurs draw first blood against Clippers, win 15th straight game
Tim Duncan had 26 points and 10 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs, recharged after a weeklong layoff, wore down the busy Los Angeles Clippers to win Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series, 108-92 on Tuesday night.
05/14/2012 18:29 Clippers' Griffin says he'll be on the court in Game 1 against Spurs
Blake Griffin woke up Monday with his sprained left knee not feeling worse, but not really much better. Rest is the only remedy, a luxury the Los Angeles Clippers don't have, and doctors guess he might miss two weeks if this were the regular season.
05/13/2012 18:26 Clippers ditch adversity, advance; Grizz wonder what might have been
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are at less than full strength, but the Clippers get strong bench play to beat Memphis in Game 7. Gary Parrish gives the Clips their due and wonders what befell the once high-flying Grizzlies.
After injuries derailed his production the past few seasons, veteran F Caron Butler earns another fresh start in 2011-12. Butler signed with the new-look Clippers and will start opposite F Blake Griffin on the block this year. Butler missed Dallas' championship run last year due to a ruptured right patellar tendon, but he insists he is healthy heading into the upcoming season. He is no longer the Fantasy standout he was previously with Washington and has played in more than 60 games only once since 2006-07. Butler remains a solid source for steals and carries a career field-goal percentage of .441. While Fantasy owners should be wary of a player coming off a major knee injury, Butler could make for a value pick starting in the eighth round of most drafts. (Updated 12/16/11)
