Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time indefinitely
Mon Jan 27 5:01pm ET
Field Level Media
The Miami Heat suspended disgruntled forward Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a team shootaround Monday.
It marks the third time the Heat have suspended Butler this month, starting with a seven-game ban for conduct detrimental to the team and another two-game disciplinary move for missing a team flight to Milwaukee last week.
The latest suspension, which will last a minimum of five games, comes after Butler reportedly was told that he would be playing in a reserve role moving forward. The team is planning to keep Haywood Highsmith in a starting role.
Miami is set to host to the Orlando Magic on Monday.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the Butler situation before the team faced the Bucks on Thursday.
"The point that I made to our team is get used to it," Spoelstra said. "Get over it. This is the NBA life; this is the life we chose. If you think it's going to be predictable, you're really mistaken."
The reasoning given for Butler's first suspension was that, "through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team."
The Heat said at the time they would begin listening to offers for the disgruntled star forward. The National Basketball Players Association said it would appeal Butler's seven-game ban, though he wound up serving the entire suspension.
Butler returned Jan. 17 and played in three Heat home games before missing the flight to Milwaukee. Including time missed for an illness at the end of December, Butler has not played in any of Miami's last 12 road games.
"It takes a mental fortitude and commitment in terms of the task at hand," Spoelstra said Thursday. "Nothing changes in terms of the task at hand. ... We have enough continuity, we know what our identity is at this point. You can make any excuse you want to, but we get to do what we love.
"We've had this happen all season long, so we know the exercise and what we need to do to make those adjustments."
Tyler Herro told reporters last week there was "not much to talk about" with the latest Butler development.
"It's probably not the easiest to work with someone who's going to be in and out in any job," Herro said. "We love Jimmy; we'd love for him to be here. I love Jimmy."
On the season, Butler has averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 25 games. Over 14 NBA seasons, the six-time All-Star has averaged 18.3 points with 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 839 games (734 starts)
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New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (knee) will play on Monday against Memphis. He carried the same designation heading into Saturday's win over the Sacramento Kings. But the 29-year-old was cleared and finished with 20 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, and two blocks in 40 minutes of work. With that in mind, Hart is a must-start in any fantasy format on Monday night versus the Grizzlies, a team that has allowed 115 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is good to go for Monday's meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Austrian big man has been experiencing lower back stiffness and initially carried a questionable tag on the injury report, but Toronto has upgraded him to available. Poeltl gets a juicy matchup on Monday against a team that allows the fourth-most fantasy points in the league to opposing fives. The Raptors big man might have a chip on his shoulder as well Monday night, as he only managed two points in this season's first clash against the Pelicans.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (quadriceps) will sit out Monday's game against the Miami Heat. Suggs returned from a 10-game absence over the weekend but unfortunately has to take some time out again after suffering a quadriceps contusion. Anthony Black and Cole Anthony receive a boost with Suggs out of commission. Both played well during Suggs' recent absence, although Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are back in the lineup now, resulting in reduced offensive touches for Black and Anthony.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (head) has received the green light to play in Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harris' availability was initially uncertain for the contest after he suffered a head injury over the weekend against the Orlando Magic, and the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. The veteran forward has struggled badly lately, shooting only 31.6 percent from the field over his past three appearances. He was limited to 33.3 percent shooting by the Cavaliers in this season's first head-to-head clash, as Harris finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (foot) has been listed as available for Monday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. He has received an upgrade from a probable status. The Lakers star is fresh off his third 30-point game of the month, having bagged a 36-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Fantasy managers can also expect to see Davis feast against the Hornets, as only eight teams allow more fantasy points to centers.
Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chroniclereports that Houston Rockets guard/forwardCam Whitmore(illness) is suffering from an illness that will keep him out of Monday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. The second-year forward has seen inconsistent playing time this season, especially withTari Easonback in the rotation, so he hasn't been a very valuable asset in many fantasy formats so far. With Whitmore out, Eason should see an increase in playing time and scoring opportunities. He's averaging 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in five outings since returning from injury. Aaron Holiday could also take on extra minutes this evening.
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (hip) will not play against the Houston Rockets on Monday. He is forced to exit the lineup due to a right hip impingement. Derrick White (shin) is also out on Monday, giving Payton Pritchard and Al Horford a chance to take on more prominent roles in the rotation. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from the pair, as both players have struggled to perform recently, and Monday's matchup is against a team that has the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. The 21-time All-Star has received his traditional upgrade from probable to available ahead of the game. James has been on a roll recently, recording four consecutive double-doubles. He will attempt to post his first five-game double-double streak of the season on Monday. Given that the Hornets are among the worst teams in the league, fantasy managers can expect James to deliver another juicy line.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (shin) will not play in Monday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. The team has ruled him out for the contest after initially listing him as questionable. White's absence should lead to increased roles for Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard on the Celtics backcourt. Pritchard has been the more consistent performer this season, although he has been quiet in recent games. Over the last three contests, Pritchard has averaged only 7.7 points. It won't be easy for him to regain his momentum Monday night, as the Rockets are among the best defensive teams in the league.
Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) will suit up against the Houston Rockets on Monday. He has been upgraded from questionable to available. With Derrick White (shin) unavailable, Horford will likely join the starting lineup for the game. The veteran big man has averaged 9.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while starting this season. However, Horford's scoring touch has been off lately, as he has shot only 25 percent from the field across his past three appearances.
Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports thatToronto Raptors centerKelly Olynyk(calf) is out for Monday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Olynyk will be out of action for the second straight game due to right calf tightness. The 33-year-old has played in just 21 games this season, and his next opportunity to suit up is on Wednesday versus Washington. Orlando Robinson and Chris Boucher should see an uptick in extra minutes while Olynyk is out.
Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports that Los Angeles Lakers point guardGabe Vincent(knee) will not play against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Vincent was questionable earlier in the day, but he will be out of action due to soreness in his left knee. The 28-year-old has played in 39 games during this year's campaign, averaging 4.9 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per contest. While Vincent is sidelined, Dalton Knecht andMax Christie could see expanded roles in the Lakers rotation.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forwardRui Hachimura(calf) is unavailable for Monday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Hachimura will miss his second consecutive contest after sitting out due to left calf soreness against the Warriors on Saturday. Monday's game will be the seventh he's missed this season. The 26-year-old has started every game when available, averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 rebounds.Dalton Knechtwill likely take on an expanded role while Hachimura is sidelined.
On Monday, the Orlando Magic announced that centerGoga Bitadze(concussion) is available to suit up against the Miami Heat. Bitadze had missed seven consecutive contests due to a concussion. He was at the team's shootaround on Monday and has cleared the NBA's concussion protocol. The 35-year-old has been a starter in 33 of the 36 games he's played in this season. However, it is unclear if he will replace Wendell Carter in tonight's starting lineup.
Washington Wizards point guard Malcolm Brogdon (foot) won't play on Monday versus the Dallas Mavericks. He'll now miss his 12th straight game because of a right-foot plantar fascia contusion. Carlton Carrington and Kyshawn George will both see more work as a result of his ongoing absence. The Wizards haven't given a clear timetable on Brogdon's return, but it will be a little while before he's back in the lineup. This season, Brogdon has averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Miami Heat are suspending forwardJimmy Butler indefinitely. Butler was supposed to play on Monday against Orlando after missing two consecutive contests, but he left the morning shootaround after hearing that he wouldn't be in the starting lineup. With the 35-year-old out once again, Haywood Highsmith will likely be moved into the starting five. Highsmith went scoreless in 21 minutes during his last outing on Saturday against the Nets.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (heel) is listed as available for Monday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Clarkson had missed the last 10 games for Utah while dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. As of now it's unclear whether the 32-year-old will have a minutes restriction, adding some volatility to any fantasy managers or DFS players looking to insert him into their lineups tonight. Clarkson has averaged 16.0 PPG this season while shooting 33.9% from three. Milwaukee has the league's sixth best defensive rating in January, making tonight's matchup a tough sell for those looking to start Clarkson. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should temper expectations on Monday night.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (personal) will miss Monday night's game against the Utah Jazz. Portis also missed Saturday's game for personal reasons. The 29-year-old has been a decent contributor off of Milwaukee's bench, averaging 13.4 PPG and 7.9 RPG this season. In Saturday night's loss there was no apparent beneficiary off of Milwaukee's bench, rather the starters played extended minutes to cover Portis' absence. Expect more of the same against the Jazz, making Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez ideal pieces to target on Monday night.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (elbow, finger) is available for Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors. Murray had X-rays done on his right hand over the weekend after missing Saturday's game. Thankfully for the 28-year-old they confirmed it's just a finger sprain and will be something he's able to play through. Murray has averaged 19.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 7.8 APG in January. With a decent looking matchup against the Raptors on deck, Murray should be in line for a solid night.
Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace has been recalled from the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta's G League affiliate, for Monday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and will be active. Atlanta is dealing with a litany of injuries and needs additional depth at guard. The 25-year-old has played in just one NBA game in January, though it was a start against the Chicago Bulls where he put up 27 points and six assists. With Bogdan Bogdanovic active it's unlikely Wallace will get the start. Minnesota's defense is one of the NBA's best as well, making Wallace a risky start in all fantasy formats. Only DFS managers should consider adding him in their lineups as a deep flier, though the risk will be high.
