Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Jimmy Butler made his return to Minnesota on Saturday night for the first time since his departure earlier this season in a deal that saw Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless going back in exchange. Butler's last few weeks with the Timberwolves were certainly tumultuous, with fans letting him hear it as he and his playoff-bound Sixers came to town Saturday.
Prior to the game, Sixers head coach Brett Brown noted his appreciation for Butler and his ability to play well amidst controversy, via ESPN:
“He thrives under blankets of controversy. I greatly respect it, and I think when you look at the high-level competitors, it is part of their DNA. It is certainly part of his DNA.”
Butler went on to shoot 4-for-17 from the floor in Philadelphia's win, so whether or not he thrived is certainly up for debate. But he did collect his first double-double since Dec. 5, finishing with 12 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. The boards were his highest total in a regular-season outing since April 2, 2016, when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls.
Butler, a four-time All-Star, was public about his desire to be moved prior to the start of the 2018-19 year. After making the playoffs last season for the first time in over a decade, Minnesota is back on the outside looking in, having dealt Butler to the Sixers in November. While the Timberwolves have cleared Butler from the roster, he'll be heading to the playoffs while Minnesota looks to remake their roster in his absence.
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