Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler sees specialist for wrist injury

The sprained wrist that has kept Jimmy Butler from playing in the Philadelphia 76ers' past two games was examined by a specialist in Los Angeles on Friday, the team announced.

Butler, who has averaged 19.0 points in 28 games since Philadelphia acquired him in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, last played Saturday at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He did not suit up in victories against the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs this week and would appear unlikely to return for the 76ers game at Denver on Saturday.

Butler, who had surgery on his right hand this past offseason, is expected to rejoin the team in Denver, but his playing status remains unknown.

"It's a confirmation that things are OK," 76ers head coach Brett Brown said of the visit to the specialist.

"It's far more precautionary than stuff that people are, sort of, overly worried about."

Winners of five of their past six games, the 76ers entered will go to Denver with a 32-17 record and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

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Philadelphia hold a 23-11 win-loss record since Butler joined the team on November 14. He has been inactive for six games in that span, with the 76ers going 4-2 in those games.

Center Joel Embiid also is expected to be absent for Saturday's game at Denver with a planned day of rest.

The game against the Nuggets, currently second in the Western Conference at 31-15, is the beginning of a four-game western swing for the 76ers that includes meetings with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.