NBA – Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs still down, Jimmy Butler back

Jimmy Butler made his return to the court for the Miami Heat after serving a seven-game suspension imposed by his franchise for “inappropriate conduct”, he who had expressed his desires elsewhere, and whose transfer file has agitated the NBA since several weeks. Butler returned with humor, issuing a sober statement “I'm back”, in the style of Michael Jordan in 1995.

“Jimmy Buckets”, who led the Heat to two NBA finals (2020 and 2023), did the job with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 33 minutes, but Miami lost to Denver (133-113), propelled by a new triple-double from Nikola Jokic (24 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists). The Nuggets quickly broke away, also helped by Jamal Murray (30 points), to consolidate their 4th place in the West (25-16). “It was nice to come back and play with the guys, with whom I have no problem (…) one day the truth will come out“, said Butler, enigmatic.

Weighed down by a catastrophic end to the 3rd quarter, the San Antonio Spurs lost for the second time in three days at home against the Memphis Grizzlies (140-112). Victor Wembanyama failed to change the course of the game, despite 19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 blocks. In the match, the Spurs collapsed inexplicably and without reaction from the bench in the last three minutes of the 3rd quarter, losing 40 to 22, before completely sinking afterwards. The Grizzlies, however, played without their leader Ja Morant, who suffered an ankle injury. Santi Aldama took over with his record 29 points (8 rebounds).

After a surprise defeat against Toronto on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics revived against a top competitor in the East, the Orlando Magic, largely dominated (121-94). Jayson Tatum shone for the “C’s” with 30 points (6 rebounds and 4 assists), including 20 before the break. Kristaps Porzingis (23 points) and Jaylen Brown (20 points) contributed to the champion's success against the Magic of Cole Anthony (23 points) and Paolo Banchero (21 points), for his 3rd game since his return from injury. Boston remains 2nd in the East (29-12), Orlando falls to 6th place (23-20).

In the wake of a very fit Anthony Edwards (36 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists), the Minnesota Timberwolves won in Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks (116-99). Wolves were in the lead most of the time but only broke away late in the match. French pivot Rudy Gobert contributed to Minnesota's success with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Still deprived of Slovenian Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks managed to tame the Oklahoma City Thunder (106-98), relying in particular on Kyrie Irving (25 points).

The day after its authoritarian success over Cleveland during the clash between the two best teams of the season, the Thunder, leading in the West (34-7) was overwhelmed before halftime, reached 20 points behind. The Thunder, however, were able to come back and even regain control briefly at the end of the 3rd quarter, before Dallas finished better. OKC had to do without its Canadian leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, slightly injured in the right wrist during his demonstration the day before (40 points).