Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight? Exploring Heat star’s availability vs Grizzlies | 2024 NBA preseason

Jimmy Butler will sit out the Miami Heat’s final preseason game on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. “Jimmy Buckets,” with veterans Bam Adebayo, Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Josh Richardson, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love and Alec Burks won't travel to Memphis. Butler is healthy, though, and will lead the Heat on Oct. 23 in his team’s season opener in Miami against the Orlando Magic.

He has recovered from a right knee MCL injury that sidelined him after the Heat’s 105-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the play-in tournament. The six-time All-Star appeared in four preseason games this year, the most in his career with the Heat.

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Jimmy Butler and the Heat starters played back-to-back games in the preseason

Coach Erik Spoelstra wanted to see more reps for his new starting lineup of Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo.

Even in the preseason, the multi-titled coach played his opening quintet in back-to-back games. Spoelstra lined them up for tip-off against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday before bringing them back out on Wednesday versus the Atlanta Hawks.

Butler was impressive in his final preseason game, registering 24 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in just 24 minutes as the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP looks ready for the new season.

Spoelstra’s four other starters also put in good shifts. Nikola Jovic had five points, three assists and one rebound but was plus-minus +18, the best among the starters. Tyler Herro, like Butler, was all over the place.

Eric Spoelstra was content with what he had seen and decided to rest them for Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Jimmy Butler wants to play as many games as possible for the Heat

Last season, Jimmy Butler said that he didn’t care about the NBA’s 65-game requirement to win major individual awards. He eventually played 60 games, five below the requirement.

He said about playing a certain number of games (0:12 mark):

"I don't know, but I want to play as many games as possible. I'll leave it at that. I don't need to put a number on the amount of games that I play. I know the more games I play, the more opportunities my squad has of winning. I do know that."

With four preseason games in the books, Jimmy Butler is looking for more in the regular season.