Wizards All-Star forward Butler ordered rest, rehab for hip injury

WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards All-Star forward Caron Butler has a prescription of rest and rehab -- with no plans for surgery -- to deal with the latest twist in his return from a hip injury.

An MRI exam this week found that Butler has a small labral tear of the left hip joint. The injury, which has sidelined him for nearly a month, had originally been diagnosed as a strained hip flexor.

"There haven't been any conversations about surgery," said a person familiar with the Butler's injury who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team prefers not to release medical details. "Our thoughts are for him to continue to rest and stay off the hip."

Butler will be re-evaluated next week, with no timetable set for his return. He was to miss his 11th straight game Friday night, when the Wizards finished a road trip at Chicago.

The Wizards were 4-10 this season without Butler entering Friday's game, and the team has slumped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference in his absence.

Butler is averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.4 steals and earned a spot in the All-Star Game for the second time, although he could not play because of his injury.