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Heat's Butler on personal leave, will miss game against Celtics

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CBS News Miami Live

Heat star forward Jimmy Butler is missing Miami's game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday because of personal reasons.

Magic Heat Basketball
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) chases a loose ball along with Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Miami. Rebecca Blackwell / AP

The club has granted Butler a leave of absence after the death of a family member. It has not been determined how long Butler will be away from the team, which has games at Milwaukee and Philadelphia this week before the All-Star break.

"Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss," said a statement released by the Heat from his agent, Bernie Lee.

Injuries have limited the 34-year-old Butler, who leads the Heat in scoring at 21 points per game, to 37 games this season.

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