Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler returned from a seven-game suspension as his team lost to the Denver Nuggets 133-113.
The 35-year-old was sidelined earlier this month by the Heat for “conduct detrimental to the team” and requested a trade.
Although the Heat initially said they would not make Butler available for trade, they later said they would listen to offers for the six-time NBA All-Star.
However, Butler stayed with the Heat, scoring 18 points and playing 33 minutes in Friday's defeat at Florida.
Less than two hours before tipoff, Butler said “I'm back” in a statement posted on social media by his agent, Bernie O'Lee. The statement indicated that it was a response to questions about Butler's career plans.
After the game, he answered questions at his locker while wearing a No. 45 Chicago Bulls jersey — the number Michael Jordan wore when he came out of his first retirement.
“Everyone has said as much, except me, to tell you the truth,” Butler said of the comment.
“So, we'll let people keep talking like they know everything and have all the answers. And then, sooner or later, the whole truth will come out.”
“But until then, we'll keep letting people talk. If I'm here, I'll go out and play.”
Regarding his teammates, Butler said: “It was good to get out there and compete and run with those guys.
“As much as everyone thinks, I don't have a problem with these guys. These guys are great. They're my friends. My beef isn't with them, never will be with them, and never was.”
Butler, who previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls, joined the Heat in 2019 and participated in 378 games in the NBA.
