It looks like the Wizards will be without forward Caron Butler for a third game when the Utah Jazz come to town Friday at 8 p.m.
Butler strained his left hip flexor in Sunday's 105-102 overtime loss in Milwaukee and then watched from the end of the bench in street clothes as his teammates outlasted the Raptors 108-104 in overtime Tuesday night in D.C. Butler didn't make the trip to Toronto for last night's game and he was sorely missed as the Raptors handed the Wizards their worst loss of the season, 122-83.
Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said Tuesday night that he planned to evaluate Butler in today's practice, but the team's leading active scorer didn't attend practice because of a bout with the flu. Right now he's supposedly a game-time decision, but someone from the team who spoke with him a few minutes ago said he sounded pretty bad. So, look for Washington to welcome Utah and it's prolific offense (105.2 points per game -- fifth in the league) without Butler and his 21.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals a game.
The Wizards, meanwhile, are hoping for some good news tonight when the NBA announces the reserves for the All-Star team at 8 p.m. on TNT. Both Butler and Antawn Jamison are candidates to make the squad.
