Fight night on Friday night.
Jimmy Butler made a fiery return to the Miami Heat lineup for Friday’s showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans, displaying his trademark intensity on the court. However, that intensity boiled over, leading to a heated altercation and subsequent ejections for four players.
The incident erupted early in the fourth quarter when Pelicans’ Naji Marshall took offense to a hard foul by Miami’s Kevin Love on Zion Williamson. Butler stepped in, sparking a tussle between the two players, prompting both benches to empty as tensions flared.
As the scuffle intensified, Heat’s Thomas Bryant and Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado engaged in a heated confrontation near the scorers’ table, escalating the situation further before being separated by teammates and staff.
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Following a review, Butler, Bryant, Marshall, and Alvarado were ejected from the game, with Miami maintaining a narrow lead of 84-80. Despite Butler’s departure, the Heat powered through to secure a 106-95 victory.
Before his ejection, Butler showcased his prowess on the court, tallying 23 points on efficient shooting along with nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals, highlighting his invaluable contribution to Miami’s success.
