After sitting out Tuesday’s game vs. Portland with an injury to his right ankle, Jimmy Butler’s status for Saturday came down to a gametime decision. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra informed reporters pregame that Butler would miss his second straight game, leaving Miami without its star forward for their matchup with the league-leading Suns.

UPDATE: Jimmy Butler (ankle) has been ruled out of tonight's game.

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 9, 2022

Without Butler, the Heat reoriented toward the perimeter, with Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson combining for 58 points in a 123-100 victory. Miami shot 22-for-44 from long range, tying a franchise record for made 3s.

In his third season with the Heat after signing in July 2019, the 32-year-old Butler has averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 23 games this season, shooting a career-best 50.0% from the floor.