MINNEAPOLIS – On Sunday night, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was sidelined for the game against Minnesota due to a sprained right ankle, marking yet another occasion he’s missed a game against one of his previous teams.

Butler sustained the injury while attempting a drive to the hoop just seven minutes into Miami’s matchup against Denver last Friday and was unable to return to the game.

In Butler’s absence, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had to adjust his lineup for the first time in nine games this season, bringing in Kevin Love and Haywood Highsmith to replace Butler and a healthy Nikola Jovic. Last season, the Heat established a franchise record with 35 different starting lineups.

Butler infamously forced a trade from Minnesota six years ago, joining the Philadelphia 76ers. During his time with the Sixers, they were successful against the Timberwolves, winning both encounters in the 2018-19 season with Butler in the lineup. However, since his move to Miami, he has often been sidelined for these matchups.

This game marked Butler’s sixth absence in just 11 contests against the Timberwolves while with the Heat. He has only participated in two out of six games played in Minnesota. Over the past five seasons, the Heat have struggled against the Timberwolves, accumulating a record of 2-8, while also posting a 1-4 record when Butler is on the court against them.