Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Jimmy Butler drama: 'Get used to it'
Thu Jan 23 3:11pm ET
Field Level Media
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wants his team to realize the recent Jimmy Butler drama is just another day in the NBA.
Butler, who reportedly has requested a trade out of Miami, was suspended for two games Wednesday for missing a team flight. It's his second team suspension of the season, the first lasting seven games for conduct detrimental to the team.
The 35-year-old Butler will not play in Miami's two-game road trip to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. Spoelstra spoke to reporters following the Heat's game-day shootaround in Milwaukee.
"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. Then, he missed the team's flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday and ESPN reported he had planned to meet up with the team on the road.
That didn't fly with team brass.
Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo had spoken during the initial suspension about guiding the team through the distraction of Butler's trade request. So the Heat are ready to play without Butler again.
"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 a game tonight, 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 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."
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Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) will be able to return to action for the team on the second night of their back-to-back in Los Angeles. After beating the Clippers on Wednesday without Holiday and several other key players, the team will be fully healthy for their Thursday night matchup against the Lakers. Holiday has started all 37 of his games this season averaging 30.6 minutes per game while producing 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. Jaden Springer had a huge game in Holiday's absence on Wednesday but should return to his normal role now that Holiday is ready to get back in action.
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (hip) will miss a third straight game for the Mavs when they visit the Thunder on Thursday night. Powell's absence is poorly timed since Dereck Lively II (ankle) is out for a while leaving Daniel Gafford to play huge minutes in the middle. Gafford has averaged 20.0 points and 11.3 rebounds over his last four games while also posting multiple blocks in each contest and averaging 3.5 blocks per game. Gafford should continue to get huge playing time at center for as long as Powell and Lively are out while Maxi Kleber fills in as the only real backup big man available.
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been ruled out for a third straight game on Thursday when the Mavs visit the Thunder. Hardy was injured last Friday in the Mavericks' home win against Oklahoma City, and he won't make it back for this rematch. While he has been out, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes have been getting more playing time. Both Dinwiddie and Grimes have flashed high ceilings, but they have been very inconsistent working alongside Kyrie Irving in the backcourt while Luka Doncic (calf) continues to work his way back.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) will not be able to return to action for Dallas in the second game of their back-to-back on Thursday night against the Thunder. Marshall had played 30+ minutes in three straight games before missing Wednesday's contest with an illness. The Mavs were short-handed on the wing since Klay Thompson (ankle) was also out and will miss Thursday's game as well. Without Marshall and Thompson, Quentin Grimes and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will get plenty of work against the Thunder. Grimes only had five points, four rebounds, and three assists despite playing 36 minutes Wednesday while Prosper had four points and four boards in 25 minutes.
Dallas Mavericks forward Klay Thompson (ankle) will miss a second straight game on Thursday as the Mavs visit the Thunder to finish their back-to-back. Since Naji Marshall (illness) is also out for a second straight game, Quentin Grimes will have to carry a hefty workload. On Wednesday, he was also questionable with a back issue but was able to play and log 36 minutes in Dallas's one-point loss to Minnesota. Grimes only had five points, four rebounds, and three assists despite playing plenty of minutes, and he'll look to be more productive on Thursday in a tough matchup against Oklahoma City. Thompson's next chance to return will be Saturday at home against the Celtics.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (illness) had to leave Tuesday's game with an illness and was slapped with a questionable tag for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers. Coach Jamahl Mosley said that Isaac will be "able to go tonight" when talking to reporters after shootaround, although Isaac is still officially listed as questionable. Isaac is averaging 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 16.4 minutes per game coming off the Magic bench, and he appears ready to resume his regular role now that the illness is behind him, according to Mosley.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (back) will be able to suit up after missing five straight contests due to a lumbar spine bone bruise. He will return for the Spurs in their Thursday afternoon matchup in Paris against the Indiana Pacers, and he could jump right back into the starting five or come off the bench. Either way, he will likely play limited minutes after such an extended layoff. In his 22 games this season, the 21-year-old is averaging 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while playing 28.6 minutes per game. His return will likely eventually cut into the playing time of Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (illness) will miss Thursday night's game against the Mavericks as the Thunder finish their back-to-back with a home game. This will be Joe's second straight game on the sideline after scoring 24 points on Sunday in a win over the Nets. Without Joe, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso should continue to get more work in the backcourt. Wallace has been especially effective lately and is coming off a big game against the Jazz on Wednesday night when he racked up 13 points, four rebounds, and an assist in 36 minutes. Aaron Wiggins has scored double-digit points in three straight games as well and will also get more usage with Joe sidelined.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) continues to play through his Achilles tendinitis, and it appears as if he'll be able to suit up again on Thursday when the Raptors visit Atlanta and the Hawks finish their back-to-back. Young missed one game in the Hawks' 10 contests in 2025, averaging 26.6 points, 10.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 35.9 minutes per game in the nine games he was available. On Wednesday, Young played 40 minutes and had 13 points and nine assists in Atlanta's 10-point loss to the Pistons. He and the team will look to bounce back with a big game against Toronto on Thursday.
Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (knee) will not play Thursday night when the Hawks finish their back-to-back at home against the Raptors. Capela has come off the bench in the last two games since Onyeka Okongwu moved into the starting lineup. Capela had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, in 21 minutes on Wednesday but will sit out Thursday due to right knee soreness. Without Capela, Okongwu will take as many minutes as possible in a great matchup against the Raptors, while Dominick Barlow will serve as his backup after being recalled from the G League earlier this week. Barlow has only appeared in seven games this season, averaging 4.2 minutes per game and never playing more than eight minutes in any performance.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is probable for Thursday night's home game against the Raptors. He missed five games earlier this month while playing through shoulder soreness but has been able to play each of the last three games for the Hawks. He has played at least 35 minutes in those games and posted a double-double in road games against the Celtics and Knicks. He finished one rebound short of another double-double on Wednesday against the Pistons, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in his 38 minutes. It appears as if he'll continue to play through the injury and be good to go on the second game of the back-to-back and will be in a favorable matchup on Thursday night.
Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony (illness) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. An illness may keep Anthony sidelined for a second consecutive game. Anthony has enjoyed a significant role on the team recently, averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. However, his influence is about to be reduced as Franz Wagner (oblique) is on the cusp of returning. If Anthony can't suit up on Thursday, Anthony Black will be in line for another start. The second-year player had a rough shooting night on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors but still produced a decent fantasy line with 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (concussion) is doubtful for Thursday's meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man from Georgia will likely remain out for a fifth consecutive game after landing in concussion protocol. Wendell Carter Jr. has been his replacement in the starting unit. The 25-year-old has averaged a double-double over the last four games, posting 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds, along with 3.0 assists. Portland allows the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers, meaning Carter Jr. is in a good position to continue his strong run Thursday night.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (ankle) has been listed as questionable on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors, but he is not expected to play. Per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said on Wednesday that White met with a foot doctor on Tuesday. There is nothing structurally wrong with his right ankle, but White is set to miss a second consecutive game on Thursday. This means Lonzo Ball will likely remain in the starting unit. On Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers, Ball recorded his second consecutive outing with three steals, picked up four rebounds, and added three assists along with one block. However, he struggled to score, finishing with only five points and missing seven of his eight attempts from three-point range.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (back) is questionable for Thursday's encounter with the Orlando Magic. After missing one game due to an elbow strain, Simons hurt his back on a hard fall in Tuesday's win over the Miami Heat and might have to exit the lineup again. Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe will carry the Trail Blazers' backcourt if Simons isn't available on Thursday, while Dalano Banton should see additional action off the bench. He contributed 11 points in 17 minutes against Miami. However, Banton had notched just 13 points across his previous two appearances as he continues to struggle with consistency.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (groin) has been listed as probable for Thursday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team expects to get its top scorer back in the lineup after Herro missed his first game of the season on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Terry Rozier had a quiet nine-point, three-assist outing as Herro's replacement in the starting unit on Tuesday. Herro makes a timely return, as Miami is once again going to be without Jimmy Butler (suspension) and will need as much firepower as possible against Giannis Antetokounmpo and his crew. This season's first clash against the Bucks did not go according to plan for Herro, who settled for 18 points on 4-for-15 shooting in a 106-103 loss on Nov. 26.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is probable for Thursday's big matchup against the Boston Celtics. A problem with his left foot continues to keep James on the injury report, but he has sat out just three games all season. Last time out, James eased his way to a triple-double against the Washington Wizards with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. On Thursday, he has a chance to post back-to-back triple-doubles for the second time this season.
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) is probable for Thursday's clash against the Boston Celtics. Davis has been nursing a foot injury throughout the campaign and now also deals with soreness in his right calf. However, Davis played through the injury on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards, despite initially carrying a questionable tag. It is safe to assume he will also be on the court Thursday night. The calf injury didn't slow down Davis one bit against the Wizards, as the Lakers' star big man racked up 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and one steal. A similar effort is expected from him in Thursday's tough matchup against the defending champions.
Thunder's G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 54 points on 17-of-35 shooting in a 123-114 win over the Jazz on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable to play against Orlando on Thursday night. The 26-year-old has appeared on the league's official injury report for various reasons over the last few weeks. However, he's in danger of missing this one because of knee soreness. Donovan Clingan (ankle) remains out, so the Blazers need Ayton on the floor. But if he can't suit up, Robert Williams III, averaging 5.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in two starts this season, is the favorite to fill the hole in the lineup. While those numbers haven't made him a viable fantasy contributor, his value could rise if Anfernee Simons (back) and Toumani Camara (illness) aren't available.
