Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley used to be the ultimate power duo in Miami, but now? That relationship is beyond repair. And Butler isn’t interested in fixing it—before facing his former team with the Warriors, he made it clear to Taylor Rooks he wants nothing to do with the Heat president.
“Jimmy told me that he’s used to being the bad guy,” Rooks said on Inside the NBA. “But I asked him what he expects if he sees Pat Riley, and his response was, ‘I have nothing to say to Pat, and Pat better have nothing to say to me.'”
Hopefully Riley kept his distance. A year ago, no one would’ve predicted things would get this ugly between them. The first real crack came when Riley publicly called out Butler for trash-talking the Celtics and Knicks while injured, basically telling him to stay quiet.
Things only got worse when Riley refused to extend Butler’s contract last summer. By January, the 35-year-old star demanded a trade, sparking weeks of behind-the-scenes chaos.
The Heat suspended him three times for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’—the last one all but confirming his exit. He landed with the Warriors at the deadline and has looked revitalized ever since.
With Golden State thriving and Miami floundering post-trade, Riley has faced heavy criticism for losing the six-time All-Star. Tuesday’s matchup at Kaseya Center seemed like the perfect chance for Butler to twist the knife—but instead, the Heat stunned the Warriors in a 112-86 blowout.
Butler managed just 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting in a forgettable performance, giving Riley a rare reason to smile in what’s been a rough season.
Jimmy Butler’s Thoughts On The Tribute Video From The Heat
Even after the messy breakup, the Heat still honored Butler with a tribute video—though he made it clear beforehand that he wasn’t exactly waiting on it.
When asked about the gesture postgame, Butler gave little away. At this point, he’s done looking back. That chapter’s closed.
“The video was nice,” Butler said. “But I won’t say there were a lot of emotions.”
His only focus now? Turning things around in Golden State. But it hasn’t been easy—the Warriors have dropped two straight and three of their last five, slipping to 41-31.
They’re badly missing Steph Curry, who could make his return from injury Friday night in New Orleans (8 PM ET). If they’re going to stabilize this skid, they’ll need him back ASAP.
