Jimmy Butler's Official Status for Nuggets-Heat

The Miami Heat have released their injury report against the Denver Nuggets.

May 6, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts to a foul being called against the New York Knicks during the second half of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been suspended for the last seven games. This was a team suspension, as Miami felt Butler’s actions amid his desire to be traded were worthy of suspension.

Via Miami Heat on Jan. 3: “(1) We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks. (2) Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”

Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025

Now that seven games have passed, Butler has been removed from the team’s injury report. His official status for Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets is available.

If Butler does indeed suit up and play, there will be a lot of eyes on the level of effort he puts forth. There is certainly speculation that he may be just getting started in his attempt to facilitate a trade out of Miami, which is something ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne noted in a report on Friday.

Nov 24, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. = | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“If history -- like, say, in Minnesota in 2018 -- serves as precedent, the discomfort could deepen, quickly,” Shelburne wrote.

A source reportedly told the ESPN insider, "Jimmy hasn't even really started.”

Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley are both prideful, pugnacious and competitive as hell. Eventually, personalities like that crash into each other. What happens next is anybody’s guess. https://t.co/TMDnAHlakG

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 17, 2025

This will certainly be something to monitor, especially with Miami still firmly in the Eastern Conference postseason mix.

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