Heat hold Jimmy Butler out of game at Minnesota with sprained ankle

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was held out of Sunday night's game at Minnesota because of a sprained right ankle, yet another matchup he's missed against one of his former teams.

Butler was hurt during a drive to the basket just seven minutes into Miami's game at Denver on Friday night and did not return.

Without the six-time All-Star available, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was forced to make his first starting lineup change in nine games this season, inserting Kevin Love and Haywood Highsmith for Butler and a healthy Nikola Jovic. The Heat set a franchise record last season with 35 different starting lineups.

Butler forced his way out of Minnesota six years ago with a trade to Philadelphia. The 76ers won both games against the Timberwolves in 2018-19 with Butler healthy, but since being traded to Miami for the following season he has been frequently missing.

This was the sixth absence for Butler with the Heat in 11 games against the Timberwolves. He has played in only two of six games in Minnesota. The Heat went 2-8 against the Timberwolves over the last five seasons and 1-4 with Butler on the floor.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler reacts after falling on the floor while driving the lane in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, right, looks to pass the ball after falling on the floor as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)