Jimmy Butler Stats Tonight: How did the Heat star fare against Denver Nuggets after returning from seven-game suspension? (Jan. 17)

Jimmy Butler returned from a seven-game suspension on Friday to start against the Denver Nuggets. The Miami Heat suspended the six-time All-Star on Jan. 4 for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Hours before his return, Butler released a statement telling everyone, “I’m back.”

Jimmy Buckets had four points on 2-for-5 shooting in 11 minutes in the first quarter. Despite Butler's return, the Heat trailed 30-24 at the end of the opening period.

Butler added four more points in the second period, but largely deferred to point guard Tyler Herro, who finished the first half with 14 points. Miami faced a 67-55 deficit heading into the halftime break.

Jimmy Butler had his best stretch in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets. The 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP scattered 10 points with three assists to help the Miami Heat to their best showing in the game. Still, the Heat trailed 98-86 before the start of the fourth period.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra kept Butler on the bench in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. He came in with 6:35 remaining in the game for Jaime Jaquez Jr. The star forward couldn’t do much to turn around the game as the Nuggets cruised to a 133-113 win.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG	3-PT FG	FT	+/-
Jimmy Butler	18	3	2	0	0	1	7-15	0-2	4-4	-11

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The Heat lost before suspending Jimmy Butler and lost again in his return

Jimmy Butler had a lackadaisical performance in the Miami Heat's 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2. He told reporters after the game that he had lost his "joy" playing basketball. When asked if he would regain it, the six-time All-Star responded that he would, but "probably" out of Miami.

The Heat responded by suspending him for seven games. Butler began serving the suspension on Jan. 4 against the Utah Jazz. He also did not travel with the team during a six-game road trip. Miami's 117-108 loss to the LA Lakers on Wednesday was the final game of the suspension.

The Miami Heat removed Jimmy Butler from the injury report heading into Friday's encounter with the Denver Nuggets. Jimmy Buckets returned to the starting lineup, but the Heat suffered another loss. Miami had a three-game losing streak starting with Butler's suspension. They are now on the same skid following his return.