MIAMI – Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler attended the final day of the Reserve Cup Miami Saturday, a day after cellphone video posted to the @OnlyInDade Instagram account showed him getting into a verbal altercation at the Reserve Padel Club.
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Butler appeared to be in good spirits as he and Derek Jeter were announced at the event before he joined in on the activities.
“It’s (padel) big for the city of Miami — a city that I care so dearly and so much about. It also gives me another thing to talk like I’m great at. They never showcase my talents, so I’m grateful,” he said while laughing.
Before he took to the padel court, Butler didn’t mention Friday night’s incident at the club and declined to answer questions from Local 10 reporter Samiar Nefzi.
“There’s no breaking news — I know that you’re all hoping for that. We’re just out here to have some fun, put on a show,” he said.
The incident at the Reserve Padel Club comes after the Heat suspended him for a second time this season.
The team suspended Butler for two games on Wednesday night.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today’s team flight to Milwaukee,” Wednesday’s statement from the team read.
Butler’s latest suspension comes just weeks after he served a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Rumors are also swirling that the Phoenix Suns are exploring a trade for Butler, as his dissatisfaction with the Heat continues to grow.
The Miami Heat are 21-22 on the season after losing 96-125 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
They face the Brooklyn Nets at 6 p.m. Saturday.
