Sports Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY
Heat on Jimmy Butler left Miami Christmas Day matchup with the Pelicans on Friday due to proper ankle stiffness.
Butler was rule out the game before the third quarter. He entered Friday listed as an interrogator after twisting an ankle in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic.
The five-time All-Star struggled from the field Friday before sending out vs. New Orleans. He got just four points on 2-7 from the field, although he made six rebounds and five assists. Miami led 66-53 at halftime before Butler was present.
Miami dropped its open season Wednesday in Orlando as Butler finished with 19 points, seven assists and seven leads. The warm-up began hotly despite Butler’s struggles on Friday, earning a half-time two-digit lead when Duncan Robinson stopped at six three.
Butler averaged 19.9 points and six assists per game in 2019-20. Miami is looking for its second final look this season after losing to the Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals.