Heat's Jimmy Butler doubtful for Thursday in Orlando amid speculation whirlwind

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Dec 25, 2024

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ORLANDO, Fla. — Forward Jimmy Butler is expected to miss his third consecutive game when the Heat face the Orlando Magic on Thursday night at Kia Center.

Butler formally was listed as doubtful on the Heat’s Wednesday injury report, with a designation of “return-to-competition reconditioning.” He previously had been listed as out for the prior two games due to a stomach illness.

Butler, who left in the first quarter of the Heat’s Dec. 20 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Kaseya Center, appeared to sprain his ankle at the time, with the Heat instead listing him out the balance of the night due to illness.

He then missed Saturday’s loss to the Magic at Kia Center, as well as Monday night’s home victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Having missed 22 games last season, Thursday’s Magic game would be Butler’s eighth absence of the season, having missed four games in November with a sprained right ankle, one earlier this month with knee soreness, and now this past week. In addition, he twice has been limited to seven-minute outings (once the game before being sidelined by the ankle sprain and then the Thunder loss).

Under NBA rules, players are eligible for postseason awards if appearing in at least 65 games over the 82-game regular-season schedule. However, limited appearances (fewer than 20 minutes), such as those two seven-minute outings, do not count toward that 65-game total. To be eligible for a postseason award or All-NBA team, Butler, after a Thursday absence, then could miss no more than seven games the balance of the season.

Butler in recent years has downplayed individual honors. He last appeared in at least 65 regular-season games in 2018-19, when played a combined 65 with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. Butler, 35, last won an NBA honor when he was named second-team All-NBA in 2023, prior to the 65-game award restriction, when he appeared in 64 games for the Heat.

Since-sidelined Dru Smith started in place of Butler in Saturday night’s loss in Orlando, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. starting in place of Butler in Monday night’s victory over the Nets.

As for the rest of the Heat’s injury report, guard Terry Rozier is listed as questionable due to the inflamed left knee that kept him out of Monday night’s victory over the Nets.

Listed as out are Smith, due to the torn Achilles sustained in that victory over the Brooklyn, and veteran guard Josh Richardson, with an ongoing inflamed right heel.

Listed as available are forward Nikola Jovic (ankle) and guard Pelle Larsson (ankle).