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Butler exits game vs. Pistons with groin strain

Sixers' guard played only nine minutes before suffering injury

Philadelphia 76ers swingman Jimmy Butler left Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons due to a groin injury after logging nine minutes of action and will not return.

He’s listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Nets, but an MRI on Tuesday revealed no structural damage.

Butler left the game with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left in the first quarter after collecting four rebounds and two assists. He missed all three of his field goal attempts. The Sixers beat the Pistons 116-102 behind a monstrous game from Joel Embiid, who finished with 24 points in his return to the lineup after a one-game absence.

Sixers coach Brett Brown said after the game that he did not know the extent of Butler’s injury.

“I don’t know the detail of it,” Brown said, “nor do I know what’s going to happen in relation to the longevity, how long he’s going to sit out.”

Since joining the Sixers via a trade on Nov. 12, Butler has averaged 19.8 points per game — the second-highest mark on the team behind Embiid (24.7 ppg) in that span.

Embiid was given the night off to rest at Detroit on Friday after the 7-foot-2 star grew frustrated with his role following three straight sub-20-point performances. Embiid, though, has had little trouble against the Pistons, now averaging 32 points in three contests this season.

“I love everybody, love my teammates, love the coaching staff — I think everyone that knows me knows that,” said Embiid, wearing a “Process” sweatshirt to the postgame press conference. “Me being frustrated is because I hold myself to a really high standard.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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