After an alarming last-minute injury scratch from the lineup on Wednesday, Nikola Jokic was able to play with a sprained right elbow in Miami. It did not seem to bother him. He completed his 16th triple-double of the season late in the third quarter with one of his most delicious highlights of the year.

This is when reality further hit home for the Miami Heat. Mediocre without Jimmy Butler. Mediocre with Jimmy Butler.

After missing seven games with a suspension that followed questions concerning his effort and his public trade request, Jimmy Butler returned to a Heat team that might have expected fireworks.