Kentucky PG Lamont Butler exits due to ailing shoulder

Field Level Media|published: 03/14/2025, 1:02am EDT

Mar 13, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Kentucky standout point guard Lamont Butler exited the Wildcats' Southeastern Conference tournament second-round game against Oklahoma on Thursday after he aggravated his left shoulder injury.

Butler was hurt just past the midway point of the first half and missed the rest of the game. Wildcats coach Mark Pope said during a halftime television interview that Butler was undergoing imaging on the shoulder.

Butler returned to the bench seven minutes into the second half wearing an athletic shirt and not his jersey.

Butler covered his mouth while filling in his teammates, and a few of them had reactions that displayed disappointment.

Butler had two points and three assists in eight minutes before departing.

The senior was a high-profile transfer from San Diego State after Mark Pope became head coach in April. Butler made the biggest shot in Aztecs history when he drained a jumper as time expired in a 72-71 victory over Florida Atlantic, a victory that put San Diego State in the 2023 national championship game.

Entering Thursday, Butler was averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 assists in 23 games for the 15th-ranked Wildcats.

--Field Level Media