Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Will Play Against Chicago Bulls After Missing Thursday's Practice Due To Personal Matter

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was away from the team a day before Friday's game versus Chicago Bulls

The Miami Heat say forward Jimmy Butler is expected to play Friday despite missing Thursday's practice for personal reasons. 

The Heat face the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, with a berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The winner faces the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks Sunday. 

Butler has been the Heat's best player all season but has dealt with injuries. The Heat are trying to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Last year they were the No. 1 seed before losing to the Boston Celtics in the conference finals. In 2021, they lost to the eventual champion Bucks in the first round. 

The previous year they made a surprise run to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

On Friday, the Heat will be without rookie forward Nikola Jovic and Gabe Vincent (hip) and Kyle Lowry (knee) are both questionable

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