Sports / Basketball |
Butler hopes to get cast off next week, eyes playoffs(AP)Updated: 2007-04-17 08:51 Caron Butler is not ready to write off the season. The Washington Wizards' All-Star forward said Monday he hopes to have the cast removed from his broken right hand in a week and thinks he could play if the team reached the second round of the playoffs. His recovery time was supposed to be six weeks after he broke a bone in his hand two weeks ago. "There's definitely a chance," Butler said. "I'm trying to get my cast off probably as early as next Monday. So the second round -- that's what we're looking at." The Wizards (40-40) have clinched a playoff berth. Butler took part in practice Monday, using only his left hand to make passes to DeShawn Stevenson or to hoist up jump shots. Butler had what he called a "bone-healing machine" attached to his right hand, a contraption he said "sends waves to the bone and helps it heal faster." He was injured when he hit his hand on the backboard while trying to block a shot during a win over Milwaukee on April 1. Since then, Washington is 1-7; two games after Butler got hurt, All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas tore his left knee and needed surgery. Butler was averaging career highs in points (19.1), rebounds (7.4) and assists (3.7). |
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