Heat's Jimmy Butler: Plans to play after suspension
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Butler (suspension) plans to play for the Heat following his suspension, and Miami isn't close to trading the superstar forward, per NBA reporter Chris Haynes.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday morning that Butler, who's currently serving a seven-game suspension for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team, had a face-to-face meeting with team president Pat Riley last week and reiterated that he wants to be traded and will not sign a new deal in Miami. The Heat are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 20-18 record and have had Butler's services for only 22 games. And when he's been available, the veteran hasn't been playing his usual minutes, averaging 30.8 per game -- his lowest mark since the 2012-13 campaign. Butler has one more game remaining -- Wednesday against the Lakers -- before he's eligible to suit up again, and it sounds like he'll be back in the rotation Friday against Denver. However, his effort level and usage moving forward is anyone's guess. The Heat are attempting to cooperate with Butler's trade demand, but there hasn't been a sense of urgency ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. Butler has been linked to the Suns, Warriors, Mavericks and Rockets.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Receives seven-game suspension
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The Heat announced in a statement Friday that they have suspended Butler for the next seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team. "Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team," the statement reads. "Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers."
The suspension comes on the heels of Butler implying in postgame comments following Thursday's 128-115 loss to the Pacers that Nuggets that he didn't believe he could find joy in playing if he were to stick around with Miami. Butler recently put in a request to be traded, and though Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement issued Dec. 26 that the star forward wouldn't be moved, the team is now open to trade discussions. Butler will be eligible to rejoin the Heat for their Jan. 17 game against the Nuggets, but there's no guarantee he'll still be a member of the roster once his suspension is over.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Back-to-back poor performances
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Butler logged nine points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists and two steals over 27 minutes during Thursday's 128-115 loss to the Pacers.
Butler continues to seem checked out regarding his effort on the floor for the Heat. As Butler's fate in Miami remains uncertain, the veteran hasn't made much of an impact, with back-to-back performances in which he scored only nine points, attempting a total of 11 shots in those games.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Muted performance in return
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Butler (illness) closed Wednesday's 119-108 win over New Orleans with nine points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes.
Butler returned from a five-game absence but struggled to find his rhythm while the Heat eased him back in with a lighter minutes count. The veteran forward has endured a topsy-turvy campaign, as he has delivered some vintage performances while also missing multiple games and, at times, looking lethargic on the court. Despite consistent trade rumors, Butler should continue to play a major role for the Heat, assuming he can remain relatively injury-free moving forward.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Will return Wednesday
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Butler (illness) will return to the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Butler missed the past five games for Miami due to a stomach bug, but he was back at practice Tuesday. With Butler back in the mix, Jaime Jaquez will likely shift to the bench and Tyler Herro could see his usage rate take a hit.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Out for next two games
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Butler (conditioning) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks and Sunday's contest against the Rockets, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Barry reported earlier Friday that Butler was expected to join the Heat on their two-game road trip. However, the All-NBA forward will instead remain in Miami as he works on his conditioning after missing the Heat's last three games due to a stomach bug, and he's now expected to return on New Year's Day against the Pelicans. Jaime Jaquez will likely remain in Miami's starting lineup for the next two games due to Butler's absence.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Expected back over weekend
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Butler (conditioning) is expected to join the Heat for its two-game road trip and could return to action Saturday in Atlanta, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Butler appeared to tweak his ankle in a Dec. 20 loss to the Thunder, but the Heat ended up ruling him out for the rest of the game with a stomach illness. He's proceeded to sit out each of Miami's last three games, but the fact that the Heat listed his absence for Thursday's 89-88 win over the Magic due to "return to competition reconditioning" suggests he's moved past the illness at this point. In the midst of Butler's absence, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Wednesday that the six-time All-Star was seeking a trade out of Miami ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, but team president Pat Riley said in a statement Thursday that the Heat have no intentions of moving Butler. The 35-year-old is thus expected to slot back into the starting five and play his usual minutes for Miami once he completes his reconditioning program.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Officially ruled out
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Butler (conditioning) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler has been downgraded from doubtful to out Friday while returning to competitive conditioning. Jaime Jaquez will likely receive another start in his absence. Per Winderman, Butler is expected to suit up in Saturday's matchup with Atlanta.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Considered doubtful for Thursday
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Butler (conditioning/personal) is doubtful to play Thursday versus Orlando, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler has been unavailable for Miami's past two contests, with a "return to competition" re-conditioning injury designation being tagged to him Wednesday. He continues to be mired in trade rumors as well, and it's unclear if he will travel to Orlando on Thursday. Terry Rozier (knee) is regarded as questionable for Thursday's game.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Won't play Monday vs. Brooklyn
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Butler (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler will miss a second straight game due to a stomach bug, and his next opportunity to play will be Thursday against Orlando. Dru Smith, Jaime Jaquez and Pelle Larsson are candidates to see increased playing time Monday due to Butler's illness.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Iffy for Monday
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Butler (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Nets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler exited Friday's game against the Thunder early due to the illness before missing Saturday's contest against the Magic altogether, and he is now in jeopardy of sitting out his second consecutive outing. If the star forward is sidelined once again, Dru Smith and Pelle Larsson are candidates for increased roles.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Won't play Saturday
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Butler (illness) won't play in Saturday's game against the Magic.
Butler wasn't expected to play Saturday after being tabbed doubtful due to a stomach illness. His absence should open up additional opportunities for Jaime Jaquez and Pelle Larsson. Butler's next chance to play will come Monday against Brooklyn.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Unlikely to play against Orlando
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Butler (illness) is doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Magic, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Butler exited Friday's contest against Oklahoma City early due to a stomach illness and is expected to remain sidelined Saturday. Jaime Jaquez and Pelle Larsson are candidates to receive increased playing time if Butler is ultimately ruled out.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Uncertain to play Saturday
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Butler, who played just seven minutes in Friday's 104-97 loss to the Thunder due to an illness, won't be part of the Heat's traveling party to Orlando, and his status for Saturday's game for the Magic is uncertain, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler made a brief visit to the locker room in the first quarter of Friday's after appearing to roll his ankle, but the Heat ruled him out shortly thereafter due to a stomach bug, per NBA reporter Chris Haynes. He finished the contest with two assists and no other statistics during his time on the court. Winderman relays that despite not traveling with the team, Butler could rejoin the Heat at some point before Saturday's 7 p.m. ET tipoff. If Butler is ruled out for the second leg of the back-to-back set, Jaime Jaquez would likely move into the starting five for Miami after he opened the second half of Friday's game with the Heat's other starters.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Won't return Friday
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Butler (illness) won't return to Friday's game against the Thunder, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports. He finished the game scoreless (0-0 FG, 0-0 FT) and with two assists.
Butler initially limped off the field following a collision, but he was feeling ill afterward due to a stomach bug, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, and the Heat won't risk having him continue to play. Terry Rozier, Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez are expected to see minutes with Butler sidelined.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Does it all in triple-double outing
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Butler logged 35 points (12-21 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 10-12 FT), 19 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and four steals in 44 minutes during Monday's 125-124 overtime loss to the Pistons.
Butler did all he could to try and help Miami to an overtime win Monday, leading all players in the contest in points and rebounds while posting a team-high assist total in a triple-double performance. Butler set new season highs in scoring, rebounds and assists, and he has finished with 30 or more points in three contests.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Considered probable for Thursday
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Butler (right knee soreness) is probable to play Thursday versus Toronto.
Butler has suited up in three consecutive contests, averaging 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists and 32.7 minutes per game over that span. His addition to Wednesday's injury report likely pertains more to maintenance at practice than an aggravation of any kind, but his status will need to be monitored.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Will play Sunday
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Butler (knee) is available for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Butler will give it a go following a probable tag due to right knee soreness ahead of Sunday's matchup. The star forward has appeared in two consecutive outings since missing last Monday's loss to Boston, amassing 41 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks across 63 total minutes.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Likely to suit up Sunday
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Butler is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers due to right knee soreness.
Butler is likely to play in the second leg of the Heat's back-to-back set after posting 24 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one block in 34 minutes during Saturday's win over the Suns. The star forward has appeared in four of Miami's last five matchups, during which he averaged 21.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals across 32.8 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Jimmy Butler: Posts 24 points in victory
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Butler accumulated 24 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one block in 34 minutes during Saturday's 121-111 win over the Suns.
Butler has recorded solid results since returning from a one-game absence, but the veteran has experienced frustrating peaks and valleys with his production. He was able to handle an injury-depleted Phoenix squad with ease, but Butler could use more shot volume and a slightly better field-goal percentage as he progresses through his 14th NBA season.
