Butler was worthy of the hype. Not only because of how he put the Heat on his back on epic postseason runs, establishing himself as one of the league’s prominent figures. But because he delivers the drama along with his dominance. Because he understands moments and how to manufacture spectacle, especially when he feels disrespected.

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Jimmy Butler has been through these first-game-back matchups against former teams before. He got a standing ovation and a tribute video at Chicago in 2018. He got jeered in Minnesota in 2019. He got downright booed in his return to Philadelphia later that year.

Curry, 37, missed his second straight game with a pelvic contusion. He suffered the injury late last week against Toronto after taking a hard fall on a drive. The Warriors (41-30) faced off against Butler’s former team — and former teammate in Andrew Wiggins — without their best player.