Heat All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler will remain out of commission for tonight’s contest against the Clippers, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN tweets. The 31-year-old forward has been out since January 9 due to the league’s coronavirus protocols. He has been doing conditioning work this week, though there is no timetable for him to return to the court, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press (Twitter link).
After a stellar postseason run that resulted in an all-time 2020 NBA Finals performance, Butler has appeared in just six games for the Heat this season. Miami has struggled in his absence, going 3-8 without him. The Heat will also be without several other rotation players tonight, including Goran Dragic, Avery Bradley, Andre Iguodala, Maurice Harkless, Meyers Leonard and Chris Silva, per Reynolds (Twitter link).
There’s more from around the Southeast:
- As he recovers from a December 29 right ankle surgery, Hawks reserve wing Kris Dunn will miss at least two more weeks before being re-assessed, according to press release from the team. The Hawks indicated that Dunn has been able to partake in individual on-court practice activities.
- The Hornets have recalled rookie Nick Richards from the NBA G League’s Orlando “bubble” campus, per Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Richards was added back to the club so that Charlotte could have 12 active players, the required threshold unless a team is limited by injuries or COVID-19 protocols. After sending five players to suit up for their NBAGL squad, the Greensboro Swarm, yesterday, the Hornets were left with just 11 available players. Bonnell anticipates that Richards return to the “bubble” at some point this season (Twitter link).
- Although the Hawks made a splash with several big-money veteran free agent signings during the offseason, it is the 9-9 club’s incumbent youngsters that have had the biggest impact so far this season, as Chris Kirschner of The Athletic details. Second-year swingmen De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, both 2019 lottery selections, have made impressive strides as scorers, while big man John Collins has vastly improved on defense. “We feel like we can be in the mix with some of these top teams,” third-year All-Star point guard Trae Young said. “For us, we’re just going to go out there and believe we should win each and every game, which we should.”
Young guys have grown. That’s a good sign. Hawks have had to deal with players in and out of lineup. This is young deep team. I still think they will be a tough out in playoffs. Collins is a solid player and is looking to get paid. It’s why I believe they drafted Okongwu. Collins is a solid big 4 who could fit in nicely with a few teams.
Players seem be to be taking their off court behavior more seriously with respect to Covid exposure. Butler illustrates what kind of damage can be done to team when one it’s best players has to sit out due to covid. This is not criticizing Butler because he could have got it from playing bball or from the non-bball community. Doing foolish things has serious consequences. The virus doesn’t care about your feelings or desires, it just needs another host to infect.
Either that or it was just a positive result that has held him out. The inconsistency with the tests is what I would be more upset with as a player.
They all had a choice, guess they chose $ over comfort & convenience. Not easy, but it was a choice.
Butler is one my favorite players (2way). Heat should do all they can to get Beal. He is perfect for this team.
Herro, Achiuwa is a nice start. Plus picks and salary.
Butler is the real MVP
i said before the finals that if someone was going to pull an allen iverson and get you 1 game by themselves, it ‘d be jimmy. he ended up stealing 2 games instead.
Huerter and Hunter both have looked good for ATL.
I like Collins but every time I see him play it seems like he’s 6′ 6″ … maybe it’s just me
I saw your other comment regarding this and checked him out again, he’s got a big head and long neck and limbs. His torso is smaller than you’d expect of someone 6’9″ but he’s every bit of 6’9″.
Fair enough maybe it is me then
His wingspan is his height which is unusual – definitely not the NBA norm. Long legs, big head, long neck, short arms and a smaller torso.
how do you have short arms but “his wingspan is his height?” my best example of wingspan being your height would be talen horton-tucker
Most players have wingspans exceeding their height. To have a wingspan that is ‘merely’ your height, or – shudder – less than your height gets you labelled T-Rex. Kevin Willis, Domantis Sabonis, JJ Reddick all come to mind.
THT is 6’4″ with a 7’1″ wingspan.
was thinking exceeding for some reason bro. i have clarity now.
Yup def i think u nailed it. Thats prob why he practically looked like a PG next to giannis the other night
As much as it may be true that MIA have struggled without Butler 3-9… they haven’t been any good with him neither 3-3… go figure, right?
Heat team will get by without a BUTLER
in the team’s Locker Room.
Oh dear.
I have to admire your persistence.
Hawks blew their load on a bunch of overpriced role players…
There really was nothing else to be had this offseason. Seriously. Outside of Davis, who was never truly available, the best FA’s were all role players at this stage of their career. There were no top tier stars.