Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight against Charlotte Hornets? Exploring 6x All-Star's status for preseason opener (Oct. 8)

Jimmy Butler is expected to play in the Miami Heat's preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. The six-time NBA All-Star isn't on the Heat's injury report. Butler also played in a cancer awareness scrimmage for Miami on Monday. He should be available unless the Heat look to rest him closer to the contest.

Butler hasn't played competitive basketball since April 17 after his season ended when he sprained his right knee MCL in the Heat's seventh-seed play-in tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Nevertheless, he's mostly had a healthy offseason and will hope to continue that momentum while getting his legs under him during the preseason.

Tuesday's matchup against the Hornets could be a great way to begin game-level conditioning.

---

Jimmy Butler seemingly locked in ahead of comeback

The Miami Heat endured a first-round series loss last year after making a shocking run to the finals in 2023 as the eighth seed. Jimmy Butler was the key architect of that. However, the Heat couldn't replicate that success after entering the postseason as an eighth seed again.

Butler's injury absence hurt their chances of doing so. Playing the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics, didn't give the Heat much chance, either.

Butler seems keen to make amends ahead of his contract year in Miami. That began with the Heat star attending Media Day with a rather normal look than the previous years. He pulled off extensions during the 2022 Media Day and an 'Emo' hairstyle last year.

"I’m here, normal hair, no shenanigans," Butler said.

Butler also shut down extension talks, saying he wants to win games and hopes to have a healthy year.

"An extension is just a couple dollars," Butler said (h/t Heat reporter Brady Hawk). "I’m cool, I’m telling y’all. I just wanna play basketball. I wanna be available, like I was talking about. And I plan on being better. I plan on us winning a bunch of games."

The Heat don't have the star depth others have, especially in the Eastern Conference. Given those circumstances, Jimmy Butler's health, availability and form remain critical for them to thrive against their rivals.

---

How to watch Heat vs. Hornets preseason game?

Bally Sports Sun and Bally Sports Southeast will provide local coverage of the Heat-Hornets preseason game. NBA League Pass will be an online streaming option for interested viewers outside Miami and Charlotte. The game begins at 7 p.m. EDT at Spectrum Center, the Hornets' homecourt.