The Heat will have to wait until next week to get their first regular season look at Jimmy Butler.
Miami announced today that Butler will not travel with the team for its weekend road trip to Milwaukee and Minnesota. The Heat visit the Bucks on Saturday (5 ET, NBA TV) and then travel to Minneapolis to play the Wolves on Sunday (7 ET, NBA League Pass).
Butler’s girlfriend gave birth to a baby on Wednesday night, which caused the swingman to miss Miami’s first game of the season, a 120-101 home win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
UPDATE: Coach Spo says the plan for @JimmyButler now is to not go on the upcoming road trip to Milwaukee and Minnesota. James Johnson (conditioning) will not travel.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 25, 2019
“@JimmyButler is now a proud father to a baby daughter. We’re thrilled for him and we’re really excited.” – Coach Spo
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 25, 2019
Jimmy Butler will bypass the Heat's two-game road trip after becoming a father to a baby girl this week https://t.co/haASXLC2ka
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 25, 2019
Sunday would have marked Butler’s first game back to face the Timberwolves after he forced a trade from them early last season, a swap that landed him with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Butler was the big offseason acquisition for the Heat this past summer, agreeing to a four-year deal in a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia. Last season, he averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, four assists and 1.9 steals per game with the Sixers and Wolves, appearing in 55 of his 65 total games with Philly.
After this weekend’s road games, the Heat will return home on Tuesday to host the Atlanta Hawks (7:30 ET, NBA TV).
