NBA
Butler misses opener
Jimmy Butler’s debut for the Heat will be delayed by a few days.
Butler was ruled out of the team’s season-opening 120-101 win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday in Miami for what the team called “personal reasons.”
Butler was with the team Wednesday morning for its game-day shootaround practice, and told the team that he wasn’t going to be able to play around mid-afternoon.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says “everything’s fine” and that there’s no reason for concern over the Butler situation.
Butler was the big offseason acquisition for the Heat this summer, agreeing to a four-year deal in a sign-and-trade with the 76ers.
The Heat also without guard Dion Waiters for the opener, while he serves a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 36 points and 14 rebounds for the visiting T’wolves, and Andrew Wiggins finished with 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:19 remaining.
Irving broke Kiki Vandeweghe’s record for most points by a player in his first game with a team. Vandeweghe scored 47 for the Trail Blazers at the Kansas City Kings on Oct. 27, 1984.