Miami Heat star wing Jimmy Butler along with Josh Richardson, Kevin Love, Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith have all been ruled out for Miami’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
The Heat allegedly spoke with the NBA about their plan to rest Butler to ensure that they weren’t violating the league’s new policy on player participation.
Timberwolves fans had a fun time making fun of Butler after the news broke.
Jaden McDaniels’ real injury status amid absence vs. Heat, per Timberwolves coach Chris Finch
After missing the season opener in Toronto, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels is out Saturday night against the Miami Heat. According to head coach Chris Finch, McDaniels is expected to remain day-to-day with a left calf strain.
With McDaniels absent, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kyle Anderson will likely fill in at small forward in his place.
During Finch’s pregame media availability, he praised Anderson’s offensive flexibility and highlighted how important Anderson will be for the Timberwolves against Miami’s zone defense.
“[Anderson’s] our most important connective tissue… we can employ him in all sorts of ways. On the ball, off the ball, in the middle of the zone, on the baseline,” Finch explained.
Anderson missed both of Minnesota’s matchups with Miami during the 2022-23 season, so the Saturday game will be a great opportunity for the Timberwolves to fully utilize him as they look to move back to .500 even with the absence of McDaniels
Jaden McDaniels recently signed a massive rookie contract extension worth north of $130 million. The Timberwolves will hope to have him back soon since he’a key piece to Minnesota’s roster. His length and defensive capabilities contribute massively to Minnesota’s game plans.
Meanwhile, the Heat come into Saturday’s game on the second night of a back-to-back without Jimmy Butler (rest), Kevin Love (left shoulder contusion), Haywood Highsmith (knee), Caleb Martin (knee) and Josh Richardson (heel). Both teams are facing early season injury challenges, but the Wolves definitely have a health advantage.
