NBA preview: Jimmy Butler returns to Miami Heat after seven-game suspension
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler returned from a seven-game suspension as his team lost to the Denver Nuggets 133-113.
The 35-year-old was withdrawn earlier this month by the Heat for “conduct detrimental to the team” and requested a trade.
Although the Heat initially said they would not make Butler available for a trade, they later said they would listen to offers for the six-time NBA All-Star.
Butler remains with the Heat, though, and scored 18 points and played 33 minutes in Friday’s loss at Florida.
Less than two hours before tipoff, Butler said “I’m back” in a statement posted on social media by his agent, Bernie O. Li. The statement said it was in response to questions about Butler’s career plans.
After the game, he answered questions at his locker while wearing a No. 45 Chicago Bulls jersey — the number Michael Jordan wore when he returned from his first retirement.
“Everybody said a lot, except me, to tell you the truth,” Butler said of the suspension.
“So we’re going to let people talk like they know everything and have all the answers.” And then, sooner or later, the whole truth will come out.
“But until then, we’ll continue to let people talk.” If I’m here, I’ll go out and play.”
As for his teammates, Butler said, “It was good to get out there and compete and actually run around with these guys.
“As much as everybody thinks, I don’t have a problem with these guys. These guys are cool. They’re my friends. My beef is not with them, never will be and never has been.”
Butler, who previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls, joined the Heat in 2019 and played 378 NBA games for them.
2025-01-18 07:57:00
