Miami Heat Star Jimmy Out Versus Boston Celtics, Granted Leave Of Absence

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will not play today against the Boston Celtics because of personal reasons.

His agent, Bernie Lee, released a statement saying Butler is out indefinitely.

"Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member," the statement read. "Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be given when appropriate."

Statement on Jimmy Butler per his agent, Bernie Lee

Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member. Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be given when appropriate.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 11, 2024

Here's the game preview:

Game time: 7:30 pm., ET

Where: Kaseya Center, Miami

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Betting line: Heat +8

VITALS: The Heat and Celtics meet for the third and final matchup this regular season. Last season, the teams split the series, 2-2. The Heat are 53-82 all-time versus Boston during the regular season, including 30-39 in home games and 23-43 in road games. Miami has started 27 different lineups in their 52 games this season, with 16 different players registering at least one start.

PROJECTED STARTERS

HEAT

G Terry Rozier

G Tyler Herro

C Bam Adebayo

F Caleb Martin

F Duncan Robinson

SPURS

F Jayson Tatum

F Jaylen Brown

C Kristaps Porzingis

G Jrue Holiday

G Derrick White

INJUY REPORT

HEAT

Dru Smith: Out - Right Knee Surgery

Haywood Highsmith: Questionable - Personal reasons

Jimmy Butler: Out - Personal reasons

CELTICS

Xavier Tillman: Out - Knee

Jaden Springer: Questionable - Ankle

QUOTABLE

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on the developing chemistry between Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier: "I think you're going to see Tyler and Terry build an even better connection with more minutes, games, shootarounds, film sessions and a few practices that we'll have the opportunity to partake in. But you see the speed, quickness and skill that they each have."

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler misses Sunday's practice with an excused absence

Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.

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