Butler’s seven-game suspension by the Heat for conduct they deemed to be detrimental to the team is now over and he returned to the Heat lineup for the first time in two weeks, scoring 18 points in Miami’s 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

MIAMI – With Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler making his return Friday night, the team would lose its third straight to the Denver Nuggets, 133-113. While the Heat are downplaying the drama, there is no doubt that fans and the basketball world alike would watch Butler's performance closely.

Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent, posted a press release on X akin to Michael Jordan’s famous “I’m back” statement, which ended his first NBA retirement in 1995. Leaning into the Jordan theme — or troll — Butler posted photos on his Instagram story wearing the Jordan No. 45 Bulls uniform.