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.

The Miami Heat have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team” and announced they are “listening to offers” for the All-Star forward eight days after team president Pat Riley publicly said the team “ will not trade ” Butler.