Heat’s Jimmy Butler out Sunday after death in his family

Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler has been ruled out of Sunday afternoon's game against the visiting Boston Celtics due to personal reasons.

The Heat provided a statement through Butler's agent, Bernie Lee.

“Jimmy Butler has been granted leave of absence to deal with the death of a family member,” the statement said. “Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Butler had missed team practices Friday and Saturday, both with excused absences.

“We’re here for him,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday, according to the Miami Herald. “We had two practices without him. We're grateful we were able to have two practices this time of year. We had to work on some things. Obviously we're playing a quality opponent today and we're looking forward to it. so that.”

Butler, 34, has team-best averages in points (21.4), assists (4.6) and steals (1.3) in 37 games (all starts) this season. He is shooting 50% from the floor and 44% from 3-point range.

The Heat play next Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the first game of a six-game road trip that will last the rest of February.