miami heat stars jimmy butler He will miss at least the final two games of the team’s road trip as he is still recovering from the illness.

The Heat’s announcement means the six-time All-Star will be unavailable for Miami’s game against the Miami Heat. atlanta hawks Also this weekend is the Houston Rockets.

Butler could return to action when the Heat host the New Orleans Pelicans on New Year’s Day. Although the team will likely monitor Butler’s recovery closely over the next few days before clearing him to return to the court.

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Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat leaves the court after his team’s victory over the Boston Celtics during Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2022 in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Butler hasn’t played in a game since the first quarter of Miami’s game against the Miami Heat on Dec. 20. Oklahoma City ThunderHe left the game when he sprained his ankle and was then ruled out through illness.

Heat president Pat Riley quashes Jimmy Butler trade rumors, confronts ‘distractions’

Miami has played three games since Butler’s absence, two due to illness, and then Thursday’s win in Orlando saw him back in Miami ready to return.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler warms up before Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets in Miami on June 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

He did not travel with the team on the road trip.

The Heat said Thursday they would not trade Butler. ESPN reports that the 2021 NBA steals leader hopes to be traded before the February 6 trade deadline.

Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2024 in Washington, DC (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

“We don’t normally comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and unfair to the players and coaches,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “As a result, we are going to Let’s be clear – we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”

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Butler has not publicly expressed any desire to be traded. This season he averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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