The Miami Heat welcomed their former star player, Jimmy Butler, with a 112-86 loss on Tuesday. It’s the first time Butler played against his former team since he was traded to the Golden State Warriors. His former teammates, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro took care of business and combined with 47 points. Following the game, the star players downplayed the return of the All-Star forward.
Adebayo finished with 27 points (team-high) and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward also had an efficient night on the floor with his 66.7% shooting from deep. Additionally, he took on the assignment of guarding Butler, who only had 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field.
First-time All-Star Tyler Herro had 20 points in the game and was perfect from beyond the arc in four attempts.
Following the game, the media questioned Adebayo about if Butler’s return had given them more energy. The big man, however, dismissed his old teammate’s homecoming game and claimed that they were more concerned with winning than with who they were playing.
“Two games ago, we lost 10 straight and to have that breakthrough, that’s the energy that you need, it’s not against anybody at this point. We’re just scrapping for wins, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing against,” Adebayo said.
Asked Bam Adebayo if there was an extra sense of energy tonight due to Jimmy Butler’s return.
“Two games ago, we lost 10 straight and to have that breakthrough, that’s the energy that you need, it’s not against anybody…it doesn’t matter who you’re playing against.” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/oG3gu1asE7
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 26, 2025
The same question was asked of Herro, who had the same answer as his co-star.
“I mean, at this point of the season, regardless of who comes in here, we got to play with that energy, that effort,” Herro said.
Herro also said that with 10 games left in their schedule, they want to finish the season strong as a group.
A Miami Heat forward also played against his former team
Butler and the Miami Heat got most of the attention, but another forward enjoyed a reunion with his former team. The opponent was the Warriors, with whom Andrew Wiggins spent almost six seasons. Additionally, he contributed significantly and won a title with the group in 2022. At last. He received his first All-Star selection while playing with Golden State.
Wiggins played an all-around brand of basketball as he finished with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks. Following the game, the two-way forward said that he “felt good” seeing his former teammates and coaches.
“Felt good. Friendly competition at the highest level,” Wiggins said. “I spent a lot of years there, great organization, loverd it there. Felt good, felt better to get the win.”
Asked Andrew Wiggins about reuniting with his former teammates and coached on the Warriors.
“Felt good. Friendly competition at the highest level…loved it there, felt good, felt better to get the win…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/1BV0jio1vv
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 26, 2025
The Miami Heat are now 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 31-41 record. With their two-game winning streak, the team is hopeful to carry the winning momentum for the rest of the season.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
