Hooped Up

While Cleveland, behind a combined 50 points by LeBron James and Larry Hughes, handily defeated Washington, speculation was injured Wizards forward Caron Butler could be planning a Willis Reed-esque return to the Washington lineup, possibly as early as Saturday’s Game 3.

Butler has been out of the lineup since April 1 when he broke the second metacarpal in his right hand bending his index finger back against a backboard while challenging a shot by Milwaukee’s Ruben Patterson and is still wearing a cast to protect the injured hand.

Butler’s injury became more catostrophic when the Wizards lost point guard Gilbert Arenas a week later, leaving forward Antawn Jamison as Washington¹s sole remaining All-Star-caliber player.

Sports Illustrated