Jimmy Butler is finally back, but he found himself in an unusual spot in his first game in two weeks.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra elected to not field back Butler in the final 15:30 seconds of Miami’s 119-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, January 2.
Tyler Herro and the @MiamiHEAT get the win at home!
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2025
Bam Adebayo: 23 PTS, 9 REB, 10 AST, 2 STL
Trey Murphy III: 34 PTS, 4 REB, 5 3PM
Spoelstra explained Butler’s recent absences played a huge part in the decision, insisting he went “with the group in the fourth that was giving us the most chance of closing out the game."
“I mean, 13 days is a long time away and I just went with the group there in the fourth that was giving us the most and to see if that group could close it out,” the three-time champion coach said.
Erik Spoelstra on keeping Jimmy Butler out of the fourth quarter and if the decision went into that it’s a back to back.
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 2, 2025
“I wasn’t even thinking about it as a back to back. I mean, 13 days is a long time away and I just went with the group in the fourth…” #HeatNation
The veteran finished with just nine four rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes as the Heat improved to 12-9 this season when he played.
This came after Butler admitted he was unsure on his future with the Heat amid the ongoing trade rumors swirling around for a couple of months.
[ALSO READ: Amidst trade rumors, Jimmy Butler unsure on future with Heat: “Who knows?”]
With their superstar having an off-night, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo carried the offensive load with a combined 55 point outing in a wire-to-wire win.
[ALSO READ: News Coast-to-Coast: Butler marks winning return for Heat; Raptors spoil D'Lo Nets homecoming]
“He’s (Herro) continuing to gain confidence offensively and his responsibility to make a lot of plays for us,” Spo said of Herro’s impressive outing over the Pelicans.
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Adebayo, who ended up one rebound shy of a triple-double, was confident that Butler will fit in with the squad sooner than later.
“He’ll get back acclimated,” the three-time NBA All-Star told reporters post-game.
Bam Adebayo on Jimmy Butler being back and if there was an readjustment period.
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 2, 2025
“You always got to get readjusted when somebody goes out…but he’ll get back acclimated…” #HeatNation
