Jimmy Butler is not listed on the Miami Heat’s injury report, indicating that he is expected to return to the court on Friday against the Denver Nuggets. This matchup marks Butler’s first game since the Heat acknowledged his trade request and their efforts to facilitate it.
Recently, Butler faced a seven-game suspension from the Heat due to conduct deemed harmful to the team’s dynamics. During his absence, the Heat recorded a mixed performance, winning three and losing four of those games.
Initially, it was uncertain whether Butler would play for Miami again after the suspension was announced. However, with no trade finalized and the Heat not indicating further issues, Butler’s name was absent from the injury report for the upcoming game against the Nuggets.
The absence from the injury list suggests that the Heat are optimistic about Butler’s participation.
Butler missed the Heat’s recent six-game road trip, which included stops in Sacramento, Golden State, Utah, Portland, and Los Angeles for games against the Clippers and Lakers. The Heat opted not to hold a practice on Thursday, planning instead for a brief walkthrough before facing the Nuggets.
In the lead-up to the game, Butler was anticipated to meet with team officials, including Coach Erik Spoelstra. His recent comments to the media after a loss to Indiana on January 2 reflected his dissatisfaction with his current role and a loss of joy in playing for Miami.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler expressed. “I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”
The ongoing tension between Butler and the Heat has been a hot topic, especially following a disappointing loss to Indiana where Butler scored only nine points and did not play in the fourth quarter for the second straight game.
The day after the suspension was announced, the Heat shifted their stance from a previous declaration by team president Pat Riley, who had stated in December that Butler was not on the trading block. Since then, discussions surrounding potential trades have been underway.
Butler has been a pivotal player for the Heat, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances. He was eligible for a lucrative two-year, $113 million extension last summer, but the lack of an offer has strained his relationship with the franchise.
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