We got another update from Mark Pope on Thursday, and this one was much more promising on the status of Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler.

According to Pope, Butler is set to return to non-contact practice.

“We would like to get him back in a position where we have the best chance of not having another setback,” said Pope. “He is going to be on the court in a non-contact situation today, and we will see how that feels.”

Here’s to hoping this means Butler will return to game action in the coming week(s).

The Kentucky Wildcats have been without one of its key backcourt contributors for the past three games, as senior guard Lamont Butler remains sidelined due to injury.

Butler has been an essential piece for the Wildcats this season, averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game in 17 appearances. His absence has been felt on both ends of the floor, as Kentucky has struggled with consistency during this stretch.

Head coach Mark Pope addressed Butler’s status, offering a brief but uncertain update on the recovery during his Wednesday radio show.

“Lamont is making progress…It’s a complicated situation, and so it’s gonna continue,” said Pope. ?We’re just gonna continue to kind of hope for the best.”

Without Butler, Kentucky has faced challenges with ball distribution and perimeter defense. As one of the team’s primary playmakers, Butler’s ability to create offense and facilitate for his teammates has been difficult to replace. His absence has also left the Wildcats vulnerable on defense, as he was often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter threat.

The Wildcats have gone 1-2 in the three games without Butler, dropping to 15-7 overall and 4-5 in SEC play. In his absence, other players have had to step up, but the team’s chemistry and rhythm have been noticeably affected.

As Kentucky navigates the remainder of SEC play, the hope remains that Butler can return soon. However, as Pope indicated, his recovery remains uncertain, leaving the Wildcats to find solutions with the players currently available.