Jimmy Butler’s availability for the Miami Heat’s game with the Chicago Bulls on Friday has been a mystery. Butler missed practice on Thursday and was unavailable during the team shootaround on Friday. However, the Miami star looks to be available for the team’s win-or-go-home game on Friday night. Butler’s absence is being reported as a personal reason. However, many are wondering if Butler is dealing with an injury the team is trying to keep private.
Miami beat writer Ira Winderman reported that Heat fans should expect to see Butler on Friday. “Jimmy Butler was not with the Heat at today’s shootaround for the same personal reason he missed Thursday’s practice, but will be with the team for tonight’s play-in tournament elimination game against the visiting Bulls.” The timing of Butler’s absence couldn’t be at a worse time. But the Miami forward could be dealing with something none of us are even aware of. Which is why opinions on the matter should be stopped until an official statement is released.
Jimmy Butler Will Be Available On Friday
The Heat will need Butler at 100% for their matchup with the Bulls. The two teams will be competing for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat failed to grab the seventh seed in a blowout loss to the Atlanta Hawks. While the Bulls earned this matchup with a win over the Toronto Raptors. The Heat looked like a shell of themselves in their loss to Atlanta. However, on Friday, the team will have a chance for redemption.
The Heat have had a lot of success recently in the playoffs. The franchise has appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals in two of the last three seasons. However, now it seems just making the playoffs will be a difficult task for the team. Jimmy Butler isn’t known as a player to give up on his team. If anything, Butler is well-known for being a team guy around the league. So whatever is ailing Butler, he will have to be put in the back of his mind. The matchup between the Bulls and Heat will tip-off at 7 pm EST. on Friday. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.