Dallas Mavericks swingman Caron Butler was sidelined again for Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks because of a negative reaction to medication.
Butler had participated in the team's shootaround Friday morning in Atlanta. He missed the team's game Wednesday against the Lakers after having a reaction, apparently related to a knee issue that Butler pointed out Thursday during a late-night appearance on TNT's postgame show.
"Bad reaction, little stiffness in the knee," Butler said on the show. "The training staff thought it would be best if I sat out [vs. the Lakers]."
Butler has a history of left knee ailments, although it's not certain if this is related. Butler missed a game earlier this month with a left knee contusion that resulted in swelling when he played for Washington. He also missed six games in March 2007 with an injury also deemed a left knee contusion.
He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee when he played for Miami in the 2003-04 season. Injuries have plagued Butler in the past three seasons. He played 67 games last season, 58 in 2007-08 and 63 in 2006-07.
Friday's game was the fifth Butler has missed this season and the second in seven games with the Mavericks.
Butler is averaging 14.4 points in five games since joining the Mavericks after the All-Star break.
Jeff Caplan covers colleges for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.