Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been hit with a $25,000 fine for refusing to partake in media interviews after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Following the Heat’s 128-point victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Butler skipped out on speaking with reporters. Butler carried his weight during the match-up, scoring 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. It’s unclear why the star player, who has been fined in the past for other reasons, didn’t want to talk after the game. In their Tuesday statement, the NBA did not list why Butler ignored journalists but confirmed that he would pay the hefty fee.
“Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has been fined $25,000 for violating league rules governing media interview access, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the statement read.
The NBA has fined Jimmy Butler $25K pic.twitter.com/Qt6TJkK34w
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 23, 2023
Butler is no stranger to facing consequences from the league. In February 2022, he met a similar penalty for his unwillingness to speak with the media during All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. Last April, he was hit with a $15,000 fine for making an “obscene gesture” during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference. Though Butler was not playing in that game due to his knee injury, cameras still caught his pelvic thrust from the sideline.
Butler has not publicly commented on the fine. With the Boston Celtics taking home the win in Game 4 Tuesday night against the Heat, Butler is likely focused on other things besides the penalty, a drop in the bucket compared to his over $146,000,000 contract.
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