Jimmy Butler is back with the Heat after missing 8 straight games with a tail bone injury.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is available for Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic (3:30 ET, League Pass) after missing the last eight games with a tail bone contusion.
welcome back, @JimmyButler pic.twitter.com/WiIf5ccLyx
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 26, 2021
The five-time All-Star has been plagued by the injury this season, missing a total of 15 games so far in 2021-22. Butler re-injured his tailbone on Dec. 6 in a 105-90 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 10 points before leaving for the locker room midway through the third quarter. Butler favored his back after a hard fall in a missed driving layup early in the first quarter.
His return couldn’t come at a better time as Miami will now be without its star guard Kyle Lowry who entered the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols on Saturday.
#MIAvsORL INJURY UPDATE: Caleb Martin (health and safety protocols) is available for tomorrow’s game vs the Magic.
Jimmy Butler (tailbone) and P.J. Tucker (leg) are listed as questionable.
Markeiff Morris (neck) and Kyle Lowry (health and safety protocols) have been ruled out.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 25, 2021
Butler, 32, is averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.