Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler and Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren have both been fined for an altercation they got into during Wednesday’s game in Indianapolis. According to a release from the league, Butler has been fined $35,000 while Warren will be docked $25,000. The skirmish between the two came halfway through the third quarter and resulted in an ejection for Warren.
Butler took exception to a hard foul from Warren while driving to the basket, resulting in some bumps between the two. It escalated from there, with the two shouting profanities at each from opposite ends of the court while teammates attempted to split them up. The altercation was capped off by kisses from Jimmy Butler followed by Warren flipping off the 4-time All-Star.
So much love in the air between Jimmy Butler & TJ Warren ?pic.twitter.com/VJ3QsoN48V
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 9, 2020
Miami would go on to win the game 122-108. Butler didn’t produce much on offense, but it wasn’t necessary as he still put together an efficient 14 points on 5-6 shooting from the field. He also chipped in 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Warren would finish with 3 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that both Butler and Warren were fined, especially considering the gestures they exchanged. It is interesting that Butler got the heftier fine, likely for instigating the altercation, though Warren displayed the more flagrant gesture.
The issues between Butler and Warren appear to be far from over, even with the fines levied down by the NBA. Butler took to his Instagram to take note of Miami’s next matchup against Indiana, set for March 20.
