There is "zero" chance that Dallas Mavericks small forward Caron Butler sees action in the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, coach Rick Carlisle said Friday.
"He is not going to play in this series," Carlisle told 103.3 FM ESPN's Galloway and Company, adding that Butler has yet to be cleared by a doctor.
Butler suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon Jan. 1, an injury that had to be surgically repaired. The Mavericks originally announced that Butler's season was over, but he set a goal of returning during the playoffs and aggressively rehabbed.
While leaving the Rose Garden after the Mavericks' series-clinching win over the Portland Trail Blazers late Thursday, Butler said he could be cleared to practice with contact after being evaluated in a workout when the team returns to Dallas.
He expressed optimism that he would be able to play at some point against the Lakers.
"I hope so," Butler said. "We've got to get back and see."
The Mavericks were 24-7 when Butler, a two-time All-Star, got hurt in Milwaukee. He averaged 15.0 points per game and excelled on defense.
Information from ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon was used in this report.