Jimmy Butler Suffers Injury vs. Utah Jazz

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Joey Linn | Last updated Dec 30, 2023 7:01 PM ET

Playing his first game since December 18th, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler made his return from injury on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz, but played just 23 minutes before being sidelined again. Suffering a foot injury, Butler was removed from the game, and the team has since announced that he will not return:

#MIAvsUTA INJURY UPDATE: Jimmy Butler left tonight’s game with a right foot injury. He will not return.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 30, 2023

Having just returned from a calf injury, this is very unfortunate for Butler and the Heat. Miami will be in Los Angeles on Monday to face the LA Clippers, and this latest injury could potentially impact Butler's status for that game.

The Clippers have been without Kawhi Leonard for the last four games, so there's a chance that both he and Butler are sidelined for this matchup on Monday. There is of course an off day for both teams in between now and then, which could potentially benefit both players, but for now it seems that star matchup is in jeopardy.

Butler has missed eight games already this season, and had just returned from a four-game injury absence before suffering this foot injury vs. Utah. The Heat have done a good job staying afloat in his absence, going 5-3 in the eight games he has missed, but they of course recognize they need Butler healthy and available to be the type of team they know they can be.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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