Jimmy Butler blows kisses as Heat blows lead to fall to Timberwolves

While the Minnesota Timberwolves fans got their money’s worth of success at Target Center, they didn’t get to see former Timberwolves Jimmy Butler compete. Butler was given the night off to rest in the second game of a schedule back-to-back, a game that continues the streak of no Jimmy Butler playing when the Miami Heat travel to compete in Target Center.

Jimmy Butler has not competed in Target Center for four seasons, and the fans are definitely starting to notice:

T-Wolves fans were chanting "Where is Jimmy?" to Jimmy Butler 😅

He blew kisses back at them 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lPfdda2Y4d
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 29, 2023

The reason behind this lack of interest in facing the Timberwolves is a long story, a tale that ended with a rushed trade of Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers. Butler wanted to be traded and did so by burning bridges between himself and the Minnesota Timberwolves organization.

The fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves have not forgotten, and make it a point to remind him whenever he comes to town:

Wolves host Jimmy Butler & Heat in their home opener Sat night.

But MIA plays in BOS Fri night & in MIL Mon night.

Butler -- who didn't play in preseason -- played in just 7 of 14 back to backs last season.

Jimmy has missed 4 of his teams last 7 trips to Target Center. pic.twitter.com/NoQB8leptS
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) October 26, 2023

Four years ago, the reception was every bit as unwelcoming. Jimmy Butler wanted to be traded and insulted the Minnesota Timberwolves team, the Timberwolves players, and the Timberwolves fans, to get what he wanted.

Target Center’s reaction to Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/Ev4HT2TNNo
— Jen (@Tyus_jones_fan) March 31, 2019

Jimmy Butler doesn’t like to face the Timberwolves fans, and for good reason. The last time he faced the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center, he was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and he could only score 12 points on 4 of 17 shooting, Since that game, he has dodged Target Center each year since he joined the Miami Heat.

Jimmy Butler has not won a basketball game in Minnesota in 1,674 days. By the next time he has a chance, it will have been over 5 years since his last win at Target Center. pic.twitter.com/oPM7BgA6Ll
— Netglow (@Netglow) October 29, 2023

I suppose it could be worse for Timberwolves fans. He could play and rally the Heat to a victory. As long as he is content to sit, blow kisses to the fans, and watch his team lose, that’s just fine with me.

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