The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler went through a whole lot this year just to end up in the exact same place.
Butler isn’t a member of the Heat anymore, of course. He forced his exit after a contract extension dispute and a series of suspensions, sent to Golden State in February 2025 for a package of players. The Warriors excelled after Butler’s arrival last season, winning 15 of their first 18 games and a playoff round before ultimately being eliminated as Stephen Curry was injured.
Now, though, the Warriors — again without Curry for many games — are ordinary, smack in the middle of the Western Conference with a 15-15 record prior to a Christmas Day contest against Dallas. And while the Heat don’t get a Christmas game, they are also smack in the middle of their own conference (the East) with a 15-15 record.
Butler escaped Miami, in part, to get out of the Play-In Tournament. And the Heat, after starting 14-7 with an electric offense, believed they finally also had left he Play-In behind. As of the moment, both teams are in the respective play-ins.