The Miami Heat will be without star Jimmy Butler as they conclude their three-game road trip.
Miami announced Friday that Butler (return to competition reconditioning) and forward Josh Richardson (heel) have been ruled out of Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. The team added that Butler will remain in Miami and rejoin the team after the road trip, ruling him out for Sunday's game in Houston.
The Heat return home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Butler has missed three straight games dating back to Dec. 21. The 35-year-old left Miami's previous game early with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He has since been ruled out with an illness.
The six-time All-Star is currently the focus of trade rumours, which Heat president Pat Riley shot down on Thursday in a release by the team.
Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 4.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game on 55.2 per cent shooting from the floor over 20 games this season. He has missed eight games for the 15-13 Heat.
