By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY

Beating the Memphis Grizzlies just got a lot tougher for the Los Angeles Clippers.

In a 99-98 comeback Game 1 victory on Sunday night, the Clippers lost Caron Butler to a broken left hand. Butler had 12 points in 23 minutes.

Butler had his non-shooting hand taped by athletic trainer Jasen Powell, but then went back to the locker room for X-Rays in the third quarter.

Butler's status for Game 2 on Wednesday is not known yet, but if he can't play it would be a crushing blow. Butler ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee last year with the Dallas Mavericks.

He was the starting small forward there and had to watch from the bench as the Mavericks won their first NBA championship.

Signed as a free agent in Los Angeles, the 6-7 Butler missed only three games this season and averaged 12.0 points and 3.7 rebounds.

Where Butler is most valuable, however, is defensively. He's a versatile defender whose main responsibility is guarding Grizzlies leading scorer Rudy Gay.

If Butler can't play, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro could start forwards Reggie Evans or Kenyon Martin but neither has the mid-range shooting ability of Butler.

Or Del Negro could opt for a three-guard starting lineup with Chris Paul, Randy Foye and Mo Williams or Nick Young.