The Kentucky basketball injury report has delivered some possible good news for the Wildcats. While Kerr Kriisa will remain out for the team’s game at Oklahoma on Wednesday night, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson were designated on the report as probable against the Sooners, meaning each has a roughly 75% chance to play. Kentucky (18-9, 7-7 SEC) will be looking to get back above .500 in the conference against Oklahoma (17-10, 4-10), a team still fighting for a spot in the 2025 NCAA Tournament field. Butler, the team’s starting point guard, has been sidelined for three consecutive games with a shoulder injury that he originally suffered in a victory over Texas A&M on Jan. 14. He also missed three earlier games with the same injury, returning for a victory over South Carolina on Feb. 8 before reinjuring his shoulder three days later in a win over Tennessee. Robinson, one of the team’s top scorers and UK’s de facto point guard when Butler and Kriisa have been unavailable, suffered a wrist injury during practice the day before that South Carolina game, played through the injury against the Gamecocks but has been sidelined ever since. He has spent four straight games on the sidelines. Pope said on his weekly radio show Monday night that the team had two separate film sessions earlier that day, followed by a “phenomenal” practice. He said Butler and Robinson participated in the practice — two days after Kentucky lost at Alabama without them — a sign that both veteran guards are making progress toward getting back on the court. “Lamont and Jaxson were both in practice today — in modified practice,” Pope said. “Which is a good thing. We know something from today about how much practice they were able to get through, but with both of them, we’re going to know so much more in the morning. Because it’s just: how is Jax’s wrist responding? How is Lamont’s shoulder responding? How do they respond the next day? They were actually pretty functional in the limited work they did today, and, certainly, they are both on the uptick. We’re hopeful about both of them. Kentucky guard Lamont Butler, who has missed UK’s past three games with a shoulder injury, is listed as probable for Wednesday night’s game at Oklahoma. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com “You know, I don’t know if either one of them is going to be able to get to 100% health before the end of the season. But they’re making progress. And so we’re really hopeful.” Pope has implied before that both players would likely be playing at less than 100% the rest of the season, when and if they do return. Butler and Robinson are both in their final seasons of college eligibility. Otega Oweh, the Cats’ leading scorer, met with reporters Tuesday and struck an optimistic tone on Butler and Robinson. “They looked good,” Oweh said of their participation in Monday’s practice. “I know they’re trying their hardest to get back out there. I mean, they look good. They’re working really hard, doing a lot of rehab, stuff like that. So I feel like it’s only a matter of time to get back out there. Kriisa suffered a fractured foot in a win over Gonzaga on Dec. 7 that necessitated surgery. He has not yet returned to practice, and — while Pope remains optimistic that he could be back on the court before the end of the season — the UK coach has recently discussed the possibility that the fifth-year guard might not play again this season. It was pointed out to Pope on his radio show Monday night that UK hasn’t played at full strength since Dec. 3, when Butler suffered an ankle injury in a loss at Clemson — the first defeat of the Wildcats’ season — that caused him to miss the next two games. Kriisa was injured four days later. The troubles in the backcourt have led to more opportunities for freshmen Travis Perry, who has started Kentucky’s last three games at point guard, and Collin Chandler, who has made major strides over the past two games. “We also have young guys that are getting better really fast,” Pope said. “It’s just a race. These seasons go by so fast. And it’s just a race against time. It’s a race against time to see how fast you can grow. It’s a race against time for us, right now, to see how fast we can get healthier. It’s a race against time for our young rookies to see how much they can mature in a short time — in limited minutes, but growing into major roles. And it makes it fun. “Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of it — from day to day — it seems like it’s long. These guys feel like it’s a long grind. But we’re 12 days from the end of the regular season. And it’s just mind-boggling. And so we’re on the clock now. And we’re excited about the work we’ve done. And really excited about how we can keep growing.” After Wednesday night’s game at Oklahoma, the Cats will host No. 1-ranked Auburn in Rupp Arena on Saturday. Then comes the final week of the regular season, with a home game against LSU and a road trip to Missouri. Kentucky guard Jaxson Robinson, center, talks with teammate Kerr Kriisa, left, before a game in Rupp Arena earlier this month. Both have been sidelined with injuries, but Robinson is probable to return Wednesday night. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
