The NBA All-Star game has officially hit halftime, and while every player that hit the hardwood was out there having fun on both ends of the court, someone seemed to be missing. At the half, Team Stephen had a 78-76 lead over Team LeBron, but Jimmy Butler was the only player not to see any playing time.
The lack of an appearance by the Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward prompted many to presume that something may have been wrong with him, but ESPN's Ramona Shelburne spoke to Butler, and reports that there's nothing wrong with him. Butler told Team Stephen and Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni not to worry about playing him or incorporating him into the lineup consisting of 11 other All-Stars.
Jimmy Butler is the only All Star who hasn’t played yet. He says he’s fine, so this is just a rest thing. He told D’Antoni not to worry about playing time or getting him into the rotations.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 19, 2018
ESPN's Chris Haynes also confirmed that Butler absence was simply a case of the veteran taking it easy on a night like tonight.
Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the first half. He participated in the final NBA game before the break and logged 41 minutes in a comeback victory over Lakers. He seems to be taking it easy tonight.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 19, 2018




Butler currently leads the NBA in minutes played at 37.3 minutes per game, and that comes as no surprise now that he's being coached by Tom Thibodeau once again.
LeBron James and Klay Thompson were tied for game-high honors at the half, each with 15 points. While Butler didn't see the court, his Timberwolves All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns did, putting up had 13 points and five rebounds at the half. He was seen wearing these Rick & Morty inspired kicks for the big game.
Karl-Anthony Towns got himself a new pair of 'Rick and Morty' kicks for #AllStarWeekend https://t.co/5Fcbs26SwT pic.twitter.com/ljWytK6buI
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 19, 2018
The Minnesota Timberwolves get back to the court for the first time after the All-Star break this Friday night as they visit All-Star teammate James Harden and the Houston Rockets.