Jimmy Butler exited the game in the first quarter after sustaining an ankle injury during the Miami Heat’s 104-97 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident occurred with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter when Butler appeared to twist his left ankle. Shortly after, the team announced that he would not return due to illness, but no further details about the severity of the ankle injury have been released.
Before his departure, Butler was unable to score, recording only two assists. This setback comes after an inspiring performance earlier in the week, where he achieved a remarkable triple-double with 35 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals against Detroit.
Following this recent incident, it’s uncertain how much time Butler may miss due to the illness and ankle injury. The Heat are set to play against Orlando on Saturday, host Brooklyn on Monday, and return to Orlando again on December 26.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Butler’s injury, there remains hope for his quick recovery. The team will surely monitor his condition closely, and fans are hopeful that their star player will return to the court soon and continue to showcase his exceptional skills.
In the interim, the Heat will need to rally as a team and step up to fill the gap left by Butler, showcasing their depth and resilience in the upcoming games.