Jimmy Butler appreciated the tribute video upon his return to the Miami Heat with the Golden State Warriors, but said he did not feel emotional after the 40-second clip. 

Butler was traded by the Heat to the Warriors after the All-Star expressed his desire to leave after failing to agree with the franchise on a contract extension. 

He was suspended indefinitely by Miami in January after walking out of practice ahead of facing the Orlando Magic, resulting in his trade to the Warriors 10 days later. 

Butler endured a difficult return on Tuesday, though, as he was held to just 11 points, while also missing five of his first six shots in a 112-86 defeat.

"I got a lot of love in the city for the fan base here," Butler said. "The video was nice. I won't say that there were a lot of emotions, though. I think I went into this thing level-headed.

"We wanted to win a game. It didn't go the way that we planned. We'll be all right.

"I mean [the video] took me back to some good times when I was wearing a Miami Heat jersey.

"Very appreciative of those times, to help me become the player that I am, the individual that I am in this league, the teammate, the leader, all of those things.

"I don't think I could be who I am today without my opportunity here."

Despite the defeat, Miami (31-41) are just 6-17 since trading Butler. Golden State, meanwhile, (41-31) are 16-5 since making the move.

SOON. pic.twitter.com/qQeBhxrORI

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 25, 2025

"A chapter has ended," Butler said of his time with the Heat.

"What I will say is I always say I'm very appreciative for the time here, the bonds that I've built here and when you look down the road, it's just a huge part of my career.

"So, I continue to say that I'm very grateful. I ain't spiteful towards nobody. Always grateful for the opportunity. A lot of the fan base. It's not bad. It's not all bad."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, meanwhile, said the environment inside the arena did not play a factor in his team's lopsided defeat. 

"I didn't know what was going on pregame because there was a video with no sound," Kerr said when asked about the atmosphere for Butler's return.

"So, I was wondering what was happening. Miami, it's a great place to live, and so people don't ever seem too amped up around here. They're living a good life.

"So it really wasn't that rabid of an environment.

"It was typical Miami, and I think the main part of Jimmy's return is that the Heat were ready and [Miami coach Erik Spoelstra] had them ready.

"I mean you shoot 17-for-25 from 3, you're going to win. But I thought it was how hard they played, how well they competed. They took it to us tonight."