Miami Heat’s Herro and Adebayo Downplay ‘Energy’ Surrounding Butler’s Return
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Miami Heat delivered a commanding 112-86 victory over the Golden State Warriors, marking Jimmy Butler’s first return to Miami since his trade earlier this season. Despite the media’s focus on Butler’s homecoming, Heat stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo emphasized that their performance was driven by a commitment to team success rather than any added motivation from facing their former teammate.
Herro, who contributed 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, addressed the notion of increased energy due to Butler’s presence. He stated, “I mean, at this point in the season, regardless of who comes in, we got to play with that energy, that effort, that type of focus… We just need to win games. Obviously, Jimmy’s coming back here, but it’s a regular game.”
Adebayo, leading all scorers with 27 points, echoed similar sentiments. He attributed the team’s vigor to breaking a prior losing streak, remarking, 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 about who we’re playing against.
The game began with a tribute video honoring Butler’s contributions during his tenure with the Heat, including two NBA Finals appearances. While the gesture was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, Butler’s on-court performance was subdued, tallying 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Post-game interactions between Butler and his former teammates were notably limited. When asked if he had spoken with Butler before or after the game, Herro simply responded, No.
This decisive win not only showcased the Heat’s resilience but also underscored their focus on the path ahead. With the playoffs approaching, Miami aims to build upon this momentum, demonstrating that their determination remains steadfast, irrespective of past affiliations.After the Heat spoiled Jimmy Butler’s return, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo spoke about the dominant win.
