Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight against Denver Nuggets? Latest update on Heat star's suspension (Jan. 17)

Jimmy Butler is all set to make his return for the Miami Heat against the Denver Nuggets on Friday after serving a seven-game suspension. The six-time All-Star is not on the Heat's injury report ahead of this matchup. The Heat suspended Butler, citing conduct detrimental to team policies amid the star's request to leave the franchise.

The Heat, however, reportedly haven't received an offer worth considering, which has kept Butler with the team momentarily. Butler returns with the Heat struggling lately after two consecutive losses, seeing them drop to 20-19 on the season. It's a perfect setting for him to have a bounce-back outing in this home contest and get Miami back on track.

Butler had mediocre outings in his final two games of the Heat before the suspension. He tallied nine points apiece in the Jan. 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and Jan. 2 loss against the Indiana Pacers. Butler only took five and six attempts, respectively.

Jimmy Butler stats vs. Denver Nuggets

Jimmy Butler has played 23 games against the Denver Nuggets, averaging 19.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists, shooting 46.7%, including 34.6% from 3. He has been on the winning side only eight times.

Butler's last game against Denver on the road ended with him exiting the contest seven minutes into the contest. He injured his right ankle and never returned. Butler finished with two points and two rebounds in the 135-122 loss in the Nov. 8 matchup.

How to watch Jimmy Butler's return during Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat game?

ALT/KTVD and FanDuel Sports Network Sun will provide coverage of the Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat game. Viewers outside the local regions and the U.S. can watch live action online via NBA League Pass. The game begins at 8:00 p.m. ET at the Kaseya Center.

The Heat are slim favorites with a -1.5-point spread and -120 money line. It could be because of their homecourt advantage and Nikola Jokic potentially missing this game while Jimmy Butler makes his return.