Jimmy Butler's Sprained Ankle Leads to Another Timberwolves Absence
- Jimmy Butler was sidelined for the game against the Timberwolves due to a sprained right ankle sustained in a game against the Denver Nuggets.
- This injury forced the Heat to alter their starting lineup for the first time in nine games.
- Butler's ongoing absences against Minnesota reflect his challenging history with the team and have contributed to the Heat's poor performance against them.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was absent from the game against Minnesota due to a sprained right ankle, an injury sustained early in a previous game against Denver. This marked another missed opportunity for Butler to face the Timberwolves, a team with which he has a complicated history. Coach Erik Spoelstra had to adjust the starting lineup by replacing Butler with Kevin Love and Haywood Highsmith. Over the previous seasons, Butler's presence on the court against Minnesota has been limited, contributing to the Heat's struggles against the Timberwolves, with only a few wins in their encounters. The relationship between Butler and the Timberwolves has been fraught since his trade from Minnesota six years ago, and this injury now adds to his troubles in facing them throughout his career with Miami.