MIAMI SHORES, Fla. (AP) — Jimmy Butler has walked this path before, returning to face former teams amid a swirl of emotions. As he prepares for his highly anticipated return to Miami on March 25, 2025, Butler recalls similar encounters: the standing ovation in Chicago back in 2018, the jeers in Minnesota the following year, and the chorus of boos he faced during his return to Philadelphia later that season.
Tonight’s game promises to be just as dramatic, marked by the Heat unveiling a tribute video in honor of their former All-Star. With a thunderous introduction expected when Butler's name is called alongside the Golden State Warriors' starters, fans can anticipate a mix of cheers and boos, especially given the contentious circumstances surrounding Butler's departure from Miami last month.
“There are no hard feelings,” Butler stated after the Warriors' recent practice at Barry University, expressing his relief with how things have unfolded since the trade. “I’m in a better place now for me.” It was a statement reflecting his desire for a fresh start that was sparked by his difficult final weeks with the Heat, including three suspensions for violations of team rules.
Butler’s presence has catapulted the Warriors to a remarkable 16-3 record since he joined the roster, a feat that has helped lift them out of the play-in tournament range, with aspirations for a guaranteed playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Heat recently snapped a discouraging ten-game losing streak, navigating the road ahead without their former star.
Reflecting on Butler's return, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra articulated his mixed emotions, striving to maintain professionalism while acknowledging the significant impact of Butler's time in Miami. “Obviously there’ll be a lot of different feelings about it,” Spoelstra remarked. “We had a great five-year run and we didn’t win the title. But only one team does.” Under Butler, the Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times, made two appearances in the NBA Finals, and won a commendable 268 games during his five seasons with the franchise, ranking fifth in the league over that span.
But troubles began brewing last summer when Butler was not offered a contract extension, creating cracks in what had been a fruitful partnership. He later made clear that a change of scenery was necessary—prompting Miami to reverse its initial stance of retaining him.
The Warriors benefited from the sudden shift, as Coach Steve Kerr lauded Butler's transformative impact on the team. “It’s been amazing. He’s one of the best players in the league. He’s a very unique talent,” Kerr said. He praised Butler's intelligence and ability to generate open shots while recognizing his defensive skills as well. The coach added, “We’re lucky to have him.”
Interestingly, Butler's historical matchups against former teams see him with a 1-2 record—an intriguing dynamic that adds another layer to tonight's matchup. In his games back at previous teams, he first faced Chicago, where he lost a close game 114-113 in February 2018, before winning in Minnesota 118-109 in March the following year, only to experience a setback in Philadelphia with a 113-86 defeat.
As the game approaches, Butler insists tonight will just be another day at the office. “This is basketball. It’s very simple,” he stated confidently. “I don’t have all the emotions that everybody thinks I’m going to have. It is what it is. I realize we had some great years here. I’ve built some incredible bonds with some individuals in the organization, in the city, hell, in the state of Florida. But I’m going in to hoop. I’m going in to play basketball.”
