Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again in latest twist in saga

Groundhog Day came early to Miami this year.

The Heat plan to suspend Jimmy Butler – again.

This time it will be for two games after missing a team flight Wednesday, the team announced Wednesday night.

“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for continued failure to comply with team rules, insubordinate conduct, and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing the team’s flight today to of Milwaukee,” the team said in a statement.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Butler originally intended to join the Heat later on Wednesday as they prepared for their game in Milwaukee on Thursday.

But now, Butler will not play against the Bucks and Nets as part of the suspension.

The decision to suspend Butler comes less than three weeks after the Heat banned him for seven games for what the team called “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team during the season and particularly during the last few weeks.

Butler told reporters the day before the suspension that he hoped to find “joy” on the field and that it probably wouldn’t come to Miami.

In late December, amid swirling rumors that Butler wanted to leave South Beach, the Heat released a statement boldly saying they would not deal with him.

However, they returned to this speech during their initial suspension.

“Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated they are interested in being traded, so we will listen to offers,” the team said.

On Friday, Butler returned to action and had his agent, Bernie Lee, issue a Michael Jordan-style statement, saying, “I’m back.” »

He has scored 18, eight and 13 points in the three games since his first suspension, surpassing the 30-minute mark just once in that span.