Jimmy Butler was suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in three weeks after missing a team flight to Milwaukee.
The 35-year-old striker was suspended for seven NBA games by the Heat earlier this month for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.”
Butler returned from that suspension last Friday, but missed a team flight Wednesday, incurring another two-game suspension.
The Heat, who said they would listen to trade offers after Butler’s initial suspension, said he would miss games against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for (a) continued failure to comply with team rules, insubordinate conduct, and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing the team flight today to Milwaukee,” read a Heat press release.
Butler, a six-time NBA All-Star, joined the Heat from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.
He played in 25 games this season, averaging 17 points, 4.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game.
The NBA trade deadline is February 6.
“It was nothing special”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 123-114 at home to solidify their position atop the Western Conference.
“It was no different than any other night,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I had a few more points tonight, but it was nothing special.”
The Boston Celtics earned a 117-113 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jaylen Brown scored 25 points and Jayson Tatum 24 for the Celtics.
The Sacramento Kings overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 123-117 at home thanks to 32 points from DeMar DeRozan and 26 from Domantas Sabonis.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost 109-108 to the Houston Rockets, while the Minnesota Timberwolves won 115-144 against the Dallas Mavericks.
