Heat hold Jimmy Butler out of game at Minnesota with sprained ankle

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, right, looks to pass the ball after falling on the floor as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was held out of Sunday night’s game at Minnesota because of a sprained right ankle, yet another matchup he’s missed against one of his former teams.

Butler was hurt during a drive to the basket just seven minutes into Miami’s game at Denver on Friday night and did not return.

Without the six-time All-Star available, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was forced to make his first starting lineup change in nine games this season, inserting Kevin Love and Haywood Highsmith for Butler and a healthy Nikola Jovic. The Heat set a franchise record last season with 35 different starting lineups.

Butler forced his way out of Minnesota six years ago with a trade to Philadelphia. The 76ers won both games against the Timberwolves in 2018-19 with Butler healthy, but since being traded to Miami for the following season he has been frequently missing.

This was the sixth absence for Butler with the Heat in 11 games against the Timberwolves. He has played in only two of six games in Minnesota. The Heat went 2-8 against the Timberwolves over the last five seasons and 1-4 with Butler on the floor.

Related Posts

BREAKING: No blockbuster, no desperation. The Lakers’ most realistic trade package for Keon Ellis has been revealed, signaling a measured approach instead of an all-in gamble. Now the question is whether it’s enough.

Kings Open to Moving Keon Ellis as Lakers Seek Versatility for Playoff Push Sacramento Kings management understands that they are unlikely to receive a premium draft haul…

Breaking!! The Lakers are predicted to move an $18M misfit and a former first-round pick in a bold trade proposal. In return, Los Angeles would land a highly coveted $5M asset from the Kings, signaling a clear shift from sunk cost to fit and flexibility. The imbalance in salary only makes the potential move more intriguing.

Lakers Target Keon Ellis as Trade Deadline Nears, Eyeing Win-Now Move for LeBron James The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves firmly in the thick of the Western…

Labor Day (2013) –🚨 OMBSHELL STRANGER IN DISTRESS — depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry pick up a wounded, fearsome man, only to uncover his dark story as police hunt him down. What begins as a simple act of kindness spirals into suspense, danger, and impossible choices..ll 👇👇👇

Labor Day, released in 2013, is a poignant drama film directed by Jason Reitman and based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard. The story unfolds over the course of a Labor Day weekend, centering around a reclusive single mother, Adele, and her son, Henry.

BAY AREA BREAKDOWN: Warriors crush the Bulls in a statement win that exposes a shocking trend hiding beneath the box score, raising brutal questions about who’s rising and who’s falling apart. One thing’s crystal clear—this shift could reshape the entire season..ll

A shorthanded Warriors squad dominated the Bulls on the road, revealing a surprising trend that could shape their season.

How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Live from San Francisco on December 13, 2025..ll

Fans won’t want to miss the showdown at Chase Center as the Golden State Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 13, 2025. With both teams battling…

Warriors vs. Timberwolves in San Francisco — Form, Head-to-Head & Key Storylines Ahead of Dec. 13, 2025..ll

Warriors vs. Timberwolves in San Francisco — Form, Head-to-Head & Key Storylines Ahead of Dec. 13, 2025 On December 13, 2025, Chase Center will heat up as…