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Wizards F Butler injured in win over Bucks

Apr 1, 2007 - 11:49 PM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards moved back into first place, but lost an All-Star forward.

Caron Butler scored 19 points before leaving with a fractured right wrist with 6:28 remaining in the third quarter as the Wizards posted a 121-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

An All-Star this season for the first time in his career, Butler already has missed 10 games this season due to various ailments. Washington won just two of those contests.

"It popped out of place when I came down, I got my hand caught under the backboard," Butler said. "I knew it was broken."

"It was (bittersweet), unfortunately Caron (Butler) is probably out a long time, maybe the season," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "We're going to go back, get further evaluation and then get further answers and a resolution."

Now it appears the Wizards will have to try to hold on to first place in the Southeast Division without Butler, who is expected to be lost for the rest of the season.

"They're saying it's a season-ending injury, we'll get an MRI tomorrow and then see a specialist," Butler said. "Maybe second, third round is a possibility, but right now it looks like I won't have a jersey on until next year."

"Everybody in the league has had devastating injuries, you can go down the list," Jordan said. "It's unfortunate, but it's a challenge for guys to step up."

Washington (39-33) moved one-half game ahead of Miami (39-34), which lost at Detroit earlier in the day.

After Butler departed, Jarvis Hayes played a big role for the Wizards, scoring eight points to highlight a 10-0 run. Hayes' jumper with 6:35 remaining capped the spurt and opened a 104-93 lead.

"He played well, he's just got to be consistent at a high level," Jordan said about Hayes. "We know what he's capable of, he's done it in stretches."

Washington's bench scored 30 of the team's 33 points in the fourth quarter and outscored the Bucks' reserves, 53-24.

"Our bench came through big time," Jordan said. "Cal (Booth) played very well, very smart. He has center skills that are meant for this offense.

Gilbert Arenas scored 19 points and handed out nine assists and Booth added 11 points for the Wizards, who snapped a three-game road losing streak.

Mo Williams led Milwaukee with 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

The Bucks played without guard Michael Redd, who is bothered by left knee soreness.