Jimmy Butler’s Return to Miami: Heat Triumph Over Warriors
Jimmy Butler made a triumphant return to Miami as the Heat secured a victory against the Golden State Warriors. Before the game, Butler delivered a candid message to Heat president Pat Riley, emphasizing his dedication to the team despite his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. His performance on the court was a testament to his words, leading the Heat to a significant win and spoiling the Warriors’ visit to South Beach.
Butler, who was traded from Miami to Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal, showcased his skills and leadership, reminding Heat fans of what they had lost. The game was closely watched by NBA enthusiasts, not just for the matchup between two powerhouse teams but also for Butler’s emotional return to his former home. The Heat’s victory was a sweet moment for Butler and the fans, marking a successful chapter in his ongoing NBA journey.
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Jimmy Butler may still be looking for his joy in Miami, even now that he’s with a new team.
The Warriors — Butler’s new team — got the doors blown off of them by the Heat — Butler’s old team — on a night that the veteran star returned to South Florida for the first time since he was traded by Miami to end a contentious relationship between the two sides.
Jimmy Butler looks on during the Warriors’ 112-86 blowout loss to the Heat on March 25, 2025.NBAE via Getty Images
And that contention was on display as NBA reporter Taylor Rooks discussed the conversation she had with Butler before the 112-86 loss, where he threw plenty of shade at Heat president Pat Riley.
“I have nothing to say to Pat, and Pat better have nothing to say to me,” Rooks said that Butler told her.
The comments shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering how things ended with the Heat.
Butler asked to be traded in January and made it clear that his time in Miami was going to come to an end.
The Heat initially publicly stated they would not trade Butler, only to reverse course shortly after.
Butler was also suspended three times right before the trade, with the final one being indefinite.
The saga finally came to an end on Feb. 5 before the NBA trade deadline when the deal with the Warriors came together.
Miami Heat team president Pat RileyNBAE via Getty Images
Butler finished the game with 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field. Booes could be heard while his tribute video was played inside Kaseya Center before some light applause when he was introduced in the startin lineup for Golden State.
He did not shake hands with any of his former Heat teammates and quickly went to the locker room after going up to a pair of people sitting along the baseline.
Jimmy Butler throws a pass around Haywood Highsmith during the second quarter of the Warriors’ loss to the Heat.Getty Images
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“I got a lot of love for this city and the fanbase here,” Butler told reporters after the game. ‘The video was nice. I won’t say that there’s a lot of emotion. I went into this thing level-headed and wanted to win the game but it didn’t go the way that we planned.”
