Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler
Today at 09:00 PM
A tumultuous season for Jimmy Butler has taken another turn.
Butler was ruled out of the Miami Heat‘s Friday game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with what the team is calling an “illness.” TNT Sports’ Chris Haynes reported Butler is dealing with a stomach bug.
The Heat star twisted his ankle while fighting for a loose ball against Canada’s Lu Dort in the first quarter and went straight to the locker room.
Butler left with 4:41 left in the first quarter. He was scoreless and finished with two assists.
Butler was not listed on Miami’s pre-game injury report.
The six-time All-Star has been the subject of trade rumours over the past few weeks, with ESPN’s Shams Charania linking him to the two Texas teams as well as the Phoenix Suns.
In 19 games this season, Butler is averaging 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and five assists for the 13-11 Heat.
Butler was coming off one of the best performances of his career — 35 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals on Monday in a loss to Detroit.
It’s unclear how much more time, if any, Butler will miss because of the illness or the ankle. The Heat play at Orlando on Saturday, then host Brooklyn on Monday, then go back to Orlando on Dec. 26.
–with files from The Associated Press
