Jimmy Butler had a rarity during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. He was a Did Not Play - Coach's Decision. The All-Star game is an event where everybody typically plays, because all the fans want to see their favorite players.
A member of Team Stephen Curry, Butler is one of the best players in the NBA and a clear-cut deserving All-Star as he's helped turn around the Timberwolves.
But he's battled with injuries and heavy minutes all season. And it seems Butler just wanted to rest.
Jimmy Butler said he just wanted a rest night. Prioritizing the stretch run of the season and thought the rest would do him well.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 19, 2018
Butler leads the NBA in minutes per game and is ninth in the NBA in total minutes played this season. He's battled some injuries in the past and had a knee injury in January. It would make sense for Butler to want some time off.
That said, it's very odd to see an All-Star not log a single minute. Even DeMarcus Cousins, when he was in the process of being traded last season, played a handful of minutes before sitting out the 2017 All-Star Game. However, while it's an exhibition for the fans, the players aren't expected to exhaust themselves for the sake of a game that has no implications on the regular season. It was disappointing to not see Butler out there, but his reasoning was understandable.
