Caron Butler Injury: Mavericks’ Forward’s Season Could Be Over

Caron Butler's season could be over, according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News, as the Maverick forward's knee injury suffered Saturday is reportedly a torn patella tendon. Sefko reports that while the Mavericks have not announced the specific diagnosis or treatment route for Butler, a source has indicated that the veteran forward has at least partially torn his patella tendon.

Butler writhed in pain after coming down on a rebound attempt in the first quarter of the Mavericks' 99-87 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Butler walked off the court and stayed in Milwaukee with his family overnight. Butler grew up in Wisconsin.

Butler has been a key cog in Dallas' excellent attack this season. Though the Mavericks have lost three straight games, Dallas, 24-8, still sits in the West's No. 2 seed, behind the San Antonio Spurs (29-4) and ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers (23-10). Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks' superstar forward, has missed all three of the Dallas' recent losses due to a sprained knee. He is expected to return to action this week.