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Wizards face Bobcats, hope to overcome Butler's injury

Apr 3, 2007 - 4:13 PM Washington (39-33) at Charlotte (28-46) 7:00 pm EDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - All-Star forward Caron Butler's broken hand has the Washington Wizards looking for answers as they try to hold onto the Southeast Division lead.

Butler broke his hand when he slammed it on the backboard in Sunday's 121-107 victory over Milwaukee. He is out six weeks, which means the earliest he could return is the second round of the playoffs.

"I am really disappointed because we finally had everyone back from injuries for the playoff run," Butler said. "I am going to stay positive and continue to support my teammates and hope to get back as soon as possible."

The Wizards are just 2-7 this season without Butler, who is averaging career highs in points (19.1), rebounds (7.4) and assists (3.7). He also is second in the NBA in steals (2.13) and ninth in minutes (39.3).

In Butler's prior absences, the Wizards have tried to fill the void with Jarvis Hayes, Roger Mason and Andray Blatche, who currently has a knee ailment.

The Wizards (39-33) are close to clinching their third straight playoff berth. They are just one-half game ahead of Miami atop the division and welcome a matchup with the Bobcats, whom they have historically handled.

Washington has won five in a row and nine of 10 all-time vs. Charlotte, which comes to the nation's capital Wednesday in the back end of a home-and-home series.

The Bobcats are coming off Sunday's 107-94 loss at Toronto that snapped a two-game winning streak. Walter Herrmann had 22 points and eight rebounds and was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for March on Monday.

Charlotte's only victory vs. Washington was here on November 26, 2005.