WASHINGTON — A re-examination of Washington Wizards All-Star forward Caron Butler's hip revealed a small labral tear of the left joint, further complicating his return from injury.

Butler has missed the past 10 games with what was originally diagnosed as a strained hip flexor. He did not accompany the team on the road trip that ends tomorrow night at Chicago.

The Wizards did not give a timetable for Butler's return. They said Butler will be evaluated next week, essentially ruling him out of Sunday's home game against New Orleans.

The Wizards are 4-10 this season when Butler doesn't play. He is averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.4 steals and earned a spot in the All-Star game for the second time.

The Wizards, who have also played most of the season without injured point guard Gilbert Arenas, have lost 11 of 14 games to fall to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.