MIAMI — Jimmy Butler is making a return to Miami for a short stint.
The Golden State Warriors are maneuvering through a peculiar schedule — after their Saturday night game in Atlanta, they landed in Miami around 2 a.m. on Sunday. They will face the Miami Heat on Tuesday before remaining in South Florida until Thursday afternoon, given their next game isn’t until Friday in New Orleans.
Tuesday marks Butler’s first appearance in Miami since the Heat traded him to the Warriors in early February. This trade concluded a protracted period of Butler seeking a trade, coupled with three suspensions by the Heat before finalizing the deal.
“To me, it’s just another game,” Butler mentioned to reporters following Golden State’s loss in Atlanta on Saturday night. “We’re expected to win it for sure, though.”
Since the trade, the Warriors have thrived with Butler in the lineup, boasting a 16-3 record. Meanwhile, the Heat ended a 10-game losing streak on Sunday after defeating Charlotte 122-105, a game highlighted by Andrew Wiggins scoring 42 points. Wiggins was acquired by Miami as part of the deal that sent Butler to the Warriors.
“This team is phenomenal,” Wiggins remarked after the game.
Continuing a tradition with former standout players when they revisit Miami as opponents, the Heat plan to honor Butler with a tribute. During his 5 1/2 seasons with the franchise, the team reached the NBA Finals twice.
Reflecting on his tenure in Miami, Butler commented, “We were decent. We didn’t achieve the wins we aimed for. But we had fantastic playoff runs and enjoyed the experience.”
Butler’s time in Miami left a significant imprint: he ranks eighth in team history for points, assists, and steals, achieved within just 313 games. In post-season play, Butler was outstanding, being responsible for eight out of the 18 games where the team scored 40 or more points, including setting the record with a 56-point game against Milwaukee in the 2023 playoffs.
Though he expressed affection for Miami fans — “They showed me a lot of love,” Butler acknowledged — his focus now firmly lies with the Warriors, emphasizing that his goal on Tuesday is to secure a victory.
“I was traded from Miami, the narrative goes. It wasn’t the conclusion most anticipated, and that’s the backstory,” Butler stated. “But that’s all ancient history to me now; I’m beyond it.”