The National Basketball Players Association says the Miami Heat's seven-game suspension of Jimmy Butler is "excessive and inappropriate," and the union intends to challenge it via a grievance. The grievance will raise dueling arguments about the ability of a team to suspend a player who has played at a high level but whose public comments indicate he

For the 119th time since Jimmy Butler joined Miami, the Heat played a game without him. MIAMI — For the 119th time since Jimmy Butler joined Miami, the Heat played a game without him. This was different from the others. And it went very — very — badly for Miami.

Miami Heat All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler has been suspended by his own team for seven games following a heated, contentious last several months, while the 6-foot-7 small forward has very visibly pined to be traded away from the team.