Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup in Friday’s 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets following his seven-game suspension.
Rumors have surrounded Butler all season, but the six-time All-Star said it’s just a lot of speculation.
“There was a lot said by everybody except for me, to tell you the truth,” said Butler, according to The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. “So we’ll let people keep talking like they know everything, like they have all the answers. And then, sooner or later, the whole truth will come out.”
Butler was suspended for numerous instances of “conduct detrimental to the team.”
During his ban, Butler reportedly met with Heat president Pat Riley to reiterate the trade request he reportedly made before his suspension. But the 35-year-old said he’s “gonna hoop” if he’s still in Miami following the Feb. 6 trade deadline, according to Chiang.
Some members of the Heat were dreading Butler’s return, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Butler started in Friday’s contest and put up 18 points in 33 minutes of action.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t address the situation postgame.
“I’m not feeding into these storylines,” he said, according to 5ReasonsSports’ Brady Hawk. “We got our asses kicked.”
Miami has now lost three straight games and sits at 20-20 on the campaign. The Heat will look to end this skid Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs.
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