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

Heat-Pacers Injury Report: When Will Jimmy Butler Return?

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will not play Friday against the Indiana Pacers. It is the third straight game he has missed due to an ankle sprain. There rema

Grade the mock trade: Bulls leverage crucial injury to East contender to deal LaVine

In this mock trade idea, the Chicago Bulls are finally able to unload Zach LaVine and his contract while getting a promising package in return.

REPORT: LeBron James drops somber retirement take after making history in Lakers win

There is no question that the clock is ticking on LeBron James’ professional basketball career. It’s already a huge miracle that he’s still playing in the NBA…

BREAKING: Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Responds to Nike Diss as Giannis Antetokounmpo Beef Escalates

2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has been getting into it with 2021 Finals MVP Giannis Antetetokounmpo, and now one of the biggest brands in the Milwaukee Bucks sup

BREAKING: De’Anthony Melton is out indefinitely after suffering a sprained left ACL, no timeline for return

Melton has been an important part of the Warriors depth, averaging 10.3 points a game.

Report: 5 Lakers ‘non-negotiables’ leaked from private team meeting

The J.J. Redick era is off and running for the Los Angeles Lakers, and part of being a first-year head coach means establishing a culture. It seems…