Clippers' Caron Butler out with knee injury

Clippers forward Caron Butler missed Friday nights game against Minnesota because of a hyperextended right knee and will be listed as day-to-day. Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said Butler got an MRI on the knee Thursday that was negative. Del Negro said Butler injured the knee during the Utah game Tuesday night, but played Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, his former team. Del Negro said you could tell Butlers knee was bothering him against Dallas. He said feels a little bit better today, Del Negro said. But with this season and this stretch and things were on, I think its best to give him a little break tonight and hopefully he can get some therapy tonight and tomorrow and well see how he feels on Sunday. The Clippers host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at Staples Center. Its the same knee Butler had season-ending surgery on last year to repair a ruptured right patella tendon when he played for the Mavericks, but Del Negro said this injury has nothing to do with the one last season. Butler is averaging 14.8 points and 4.3 rebounds. Ryan Gomes started in Butler's place against the Timberwolves. -- Broderick Turner