Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson injury update: Kentucky reveals status vs. Alabama

Kentucky guards Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) are out for the Wildcats’ showdown against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday, per the SEC availability report. Butler has missed Kentucky’s last two games while Robinson has missed its last three.

Butler has battled a shoulder injury this season and re-aggravated the injury in Kentucky’s 75-64 win over Tennessee when he dove on the floor for a loose ball in the second half. Before leaving the game, Butler recorded six points, four assists and three steals in 22 minutes.

Butler’s defense was pivotal to Kentucky’s success. The San Diego State transfer set the tone early when he stole the ball from Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler on the first play of the game and converted a fastbreak layup on the other end of the floor.

While Lamont Butler won’t be available for the Wildcats on Saturday, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope provided an encouraging update on the two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year on Friday.

“Yeah, so, Lamont is going to get a bit of live action today,” Pope said. “Live? When I say live – modified.”

Modified live action is better than no action. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, Robinson isn’t as close to returning to the court. Pope said Robinson would be doing “some skill stuff” at the team’s practice on Friday but didn’t say he’d be participating in live action.

Robinson has been wearing a wrist brace on Kentucky’s bench since his injury. Although Kentucky has posted a 2-1 record in Robinson’s absence, the program undoubtedly wants him back as soon as possible.

Robinson is one of Kentucky’s most dangerous offensive threats this season. The BYU transfer is averaging 13.3 points per game while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. Robinson’s 2.7 made 3-pointers per game are the fifth-most in the SEC.

Other Wildcats will have to step up on offense if Kentucky hopes to outscore Alabama on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are averaging a nation-high 90.6 points per game this season. They scored 102 points in their win over Kentucky earlier this season.

Alabama will be hungry to put on a show on Saturday. The Crimson Tide have lost back-to-back games, most recently suffering an upset loss at Missouri on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kentucky is in good spirits after exacting revenge against Vanderbilt earlier this week.

On Saturday, Alabama and Kentucky will clash at 6 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.