Jimmy Butler left the Miami Heat vs. Utah Jazz game (117:109) on Saturday night with a foot injury and did not return.
The good news for the Heat is that the injury does not seem to be particularly serious, as the results of the X-rays on the foot were negative.
Butler played 23 minutes against Utah and finished with eight points, two rebounds and one assist. On the season, Butler is averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 33.6 minutes of action.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 28 points and 16 rebounds in a loss to the Jazz, while Tyler Herro added 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Unfortunately, their production was not enough to lead Miami to victory. With this defeat, Miami broke a four-game winning streak.
The game against Utah was Butler’s first action in over a week. He missed Miami’s previous four games against the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors due to a calf injury. Unfortunately, his return to the court was short.
The Heat have to hope that the foot injury is not something that will keep Butler out for an extended period of time. They are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 19-13 record.
The Fever have a very tough stretch of games ahead of them to start 2024. They will play the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns on the road before returning to Miami to host the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Magic. None of these games will be easy, so it will be important that Butler is available for as many games as possible.
The Fever have been heavily burdened by injuries this season. In addition to Butler, other key players such as Adebayo, Herro and Duncan Robinson have missed some time due to injuries. Considering all the injuries they have had to deal with, the Fever have made quite an impressive start to the campaign.
Once they are all healthy and on the floor, they will have a chance to start their real march and climb up the Eastern Conference ladder.