Erik Spoelstra spoke about the Miami Heat ahead of their game against the Denver Nuggets in Jimmy Butler's return.

Back from his suspension, Jimmy Butler indicated there was no change to his relationship with the Heat following Friday's loss to the Nuggets, saying, "We are where we are."

Will Jimmy Butler make his Heat return on Friday against the Nuggets? Check back here for updates throughout the day

As the Miami Heat take on the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it will mark the return of star Jimmy Butler coming off of his seven-game suspension. As Butler was reportedly to start in his first game back,

The clash pits perhaps the NBA's most disgruntled superstar against a franchise that won't bend to his will. And everyone in the NBA is watching.

Ahead of Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center, Erik Spoelstra offered an opening comment about the return of forward Jimmy Butler from his seven-game team unpaid suspension.

With his seven-game suspension over, Heat star Jimmy Butler was back in the starting lineup for Friday night's 133-113 home loss to the Denver Nuggets. Butler, who was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team,

This is when reality further hit home for the Miami Heat. Mediocre without Jimmy Butler. Mediocre with Jimmy Butler. And, so, a 20-20 Miami Heat record one game from the midpoint of their season, even with Butler back after missing seven games due to a team suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.

The defeat to the Lakers also marked the first game back by Heat center Bam Adebayo as he missed the Clippers game because of a lower back contusion. He suffered the injury in the win over the Portland Trail Blazers last Saturday after a bad fall right on the back which made him inactive for the first time this season.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is almost certainly on his way out.. Could longtime coach Erik Spoelstra follow him?

Besides Adebayo and Jaquez, the team was led by Nikola Jovic who had a team-high 20 points off the bench and also showed some impressive play-making four assists and six rebounds. The Heat's All-Star hopeful Tyler Herro had an off-game with nine points as he was playing with a knee contusion.

Jimmy Butler returned to the Miami Heat as planned on Friday, going through the team's walkthrough in advance of their game against the Denver Nuggets. Butler missed Miami's last seven games while serving a suspension for conduct that the team deemed detrimental.