Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time indefinitely

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Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time indefinitely

CONTROVERSIAL. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler looks on against the Denver Nuggets during their matchup.

Sam Navarro/Imagn Images/Reuters

Jimmy Butler walks out of training in the latest Miami Heat team drama

The Miami Heat suspended disgruntled forward Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a team shootaround Monday, January 27.

It marks the third time the Heat have suspended Butler this month, starting with a seven-game ban for conduct detrimental to the team and another two-game disciplinary move for missing a team flight to Milwaukee last week.

The latest suspension, which will last a minimum of five games, comes after Butler reportedly was told that he would be playing in a reserve role moving forward. The team is planning to keep Haywood Highsmith in a starting role.

Miami is set to host to the Orlando Magic on Monday.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the Butler situation before the team faced the Bucks on Thursday.

“The point that I made to our team is get used to it,” Spoelstra said. “Get over it. This is the NBA life; this is the life we chose. If you think it’s going to be predictable, you’re really mistaken.”

The reasoning given for Butler’s first suspension was that, “through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team.”

The Heat said at the time they would begin listening to offers for the disgruntled star forward. The National Basketball Players Association said it would appeal Butler’s seven-game ban, though he wound up serving the entire suspension.

Butler returned January 17 and played in three Heat home games before missing the flight to Milwaukee. Including time missed for an illness at the end of December, Butler has not played in any of Miami’s last 12 road games.

“It takes a mental fortitude and commitment in terms of the task at hand,” Spoelstra said Thursday. “Nothing changes in terms of the task at hand… We have enough continuity, we know what our identity is at this point. You can make any excuse you want to, but we get to do what we love.

“We’ve had this happen all season long, so we know the exercise and what we need to do to make those adjustments.”

Tyler Herro told reporters last week there was “not much to talk about” with the latest Butler development.

“It’s probably not the easiest to work with someone who’s going to be in and out in any job,” Herro said. “We love Jimmy; we’d love for him to be here. I love Jimmy.”

This season, Butler has averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 25 games. Over 14 NBA seasons, the six-time All-Star has averaged 18.3 points with 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 839 games (734 starts).

On Monday night, the Heat edged the Orlando Magic in double overtime minus Butler.

Tyler Herro scored 30 points and had a season-high 12 assists, leading the host Miami to a 125-119 double-overtime win over Orlando.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo added 26 points — including six in the second OT — plus 10 rebounds and 9 assists. 

Rookie Kel’el Ware, who was in foul trouble in the first half and had just 2 points, finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat won their second game in a row.

Franz Wagner led the Magic with 29 points, and Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva added 17 points apiece. 

Anthony Black had 14 points and a game-high 5 steals in an outstanding defensive performance, while Wendell Carter had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. – Rappler.com

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