Jimmy Butler returns from suspension in Miami Heat’s loss to Denver Nuggets

CNN
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It was a mixed bag for Miami Heat fans at the Kaseya Center on Friday.

On the one hand, their All-Star forward Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup after suspension. But on the other hand, the team suffered a deflating 133-113 blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Butler, who finished with 18 points, was suspended for seven games for “several instances of conduct detrimental to the team throughout the season and particularly the last few weeks.”

Along with announcing the suspension, the team also said they would consider trade offers for the 14-year veteran.

But two weeks later, there has been no trade, and Butler finds himself back in the same situation he was in before – stuck in Miami.

With his future in flux, the Miami crowd didn’t give the six-time All-Star an effusive welcome when his name was announced during pregame introductions, prompting a small smile from Butler himself.

Before the game, Butler’s agent, Bernard Lee, gave a nod to NBA legend Michael Jordan and sent a declaration says “I’m back.”

Butler added three rebounds and two assists on 7-for-15 shooting.

After the game, Butler addressed the media and said he wasn’t surprised to be back in the starting lineup after everything that’s happened in the last two weeks.

“It was said a lot by everybody but me to tell you the truth,” Butler told reporters. “We’re going to let people keep talking. Like they know everything, like they have all the answers. And sooner or later the whole truth will come out, but until then we’re going to keep letting people talk.

“And if I’m here, I want to get out there and play.”

The NBA trade deadline is February 6th.

Butler added that he has no beef with his Heat teammates.

“It felt good to get out there and actually run around with these guys, as much as everyone might think, I had no problems with these guys. … My beef not with them, never will be. It never was, Butler added.

But Butler did not comment when asked if this situation is “solvable.”

The suspension came after Butler indicated he would like to be traded by the Heat, saying in a news conference, “I want my joy back.”

After speaking after the Heat’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2, Butler was asked if he’ll be able to find that joy in Miami.

“Probably not,” he replied.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was blunt about his team’s performance, adding that he wouldn’t “feed” into any stories about Butler.

“I know what stories you’re looking for. I don’t buy into that. We got kicked tonight,” Spoelstra told reporters.

The Nuggets had their way with the Heat all night as Jamal Murray scored 30 points and Nikola Jokic recorded his league-leading 17th triple-double of the season, finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

With the loss, the Heat dropped to 20-20 on the season and fell behind the Detroit Pistons for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Heat are scheduled to host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.