The Kentucky Wildcats secured a 78-67 victory over Colgate on Wednesday night, but fans are focused on one pressing question: When will Lamont Butler return to the lineup?
Butler, Kentucky’s starting point guard, has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury. Compounding the Wildcats’ challenges, Kerr Kriisa is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery. With Butler sidelined, Kentucky has been relying heavily on its depth, but his return is critical as the team prepares for a big matchup against Louisville on Saturday.
After the win over Colgate, head coach Mark Pope shared an update, revealing that Butler has resumed on-court activities. Pope explained that the team is gradually increasing Butler’s workload and will monitor how he feels after recovering from Wednesday’s session.
“Lamont is getting a little bit better,” Pope said. “He was on the court a little bit today. Every day, we test him a little bit more. We’ll know tomorrow when he wakes up and how he’s feeling. I’d prefer if he rejoins our team on the floor sometime soon.”
Butler has been a key contributor for Kentucky this season, averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 55.1% from the field. His ability to create his own shot and run the offense makes him an essential piece of the Wildcats’ game plan.
While Kentucky has managed to stay undefeated in Butler’s absence, his return would provide a major boost, especially with a high-stakes game against the Louisville Cardinals looming.
