Jimmy Butler Takes Leave of Absence from Miami Heat Following Death of Family Member

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is taking a leave of absence following the death of a family member.

"Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss," his agent, Bernie Lee said in a statement released by the team. "Updates will be given when appropriate."

The Heat host the Boston Celtics at Kaseya Center on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. From there, they'll embark on a six-game road trip that begins Tuesday and ends Feb. 29.

Butler has started 37 games this season for Miami. He's averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists, and he's on pace to set a career high in three-point percentage (44.0).

The six-time All-Star posted a triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists) in the team's last game, a 116-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

At 28-24, the Heat are eighth in the Eastern Conference and one game behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.

Butler's indefinite absence won't help in their attempts to climb out of a play-in tournament position. One of Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Haywood Highsmith is likely to assume his spot in the starting lineup. Head coach Erik Spoelstra will hope that Jaquez, Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo can all help to shoulder the increased scoring load as well.