MIAMI — After serving a seven-game suspension, Heat star Jimmy Butler returned to the starting lineup Friday night at home against the Denver Nuggets.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra announced Butler's return during a pregame media session, saying Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith and Duncan ·Robinson's lineup "gave us the best chance tonight."

Earlier Friday, Butler referenced Michael Jordan's famous remarks before returning to the NBA in 1995, tweeting through his agent Bernie Lee: "I'm back." Butler also Posting several photos of himself wearing Jordan's No. 45 jersey on his Instagram Story, the Bulls legend wore the jersey upon his return to the court.

Sources told ESPN that Butler, who has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, participated in the Heat's pregame drills late Friday afternoon at the Kasea Center.

In a pregame session with reporters on Friday, Spoelstra began his explanation of Butler's situation for more than a minute, repeatedly asking only basketball questions.

“We work in a very complex environment,” Spoelstra said. "We are in an unusual place right now, but realistically everything is complex and we fully plan to operate within that complexity. My job is to get this team ready and ready to compete at a high level , that’s what I’m doing is this plan, my approach has nothing to do with you guys, you’re all looking for drama, I’m looking to get this team ready to compete at a high level.

"As for silly questions like 'What's the temperature of the room' or 'How is everyone feeling', it sounds dramatic. We are professionals, we are good, we are ready for tonight's game, That's the only important thing and we're looking forward to getting back on the road. We've been on the road for a while and we've done that, so we're looking forward to getting news about that."

When Spoelstra was asked if he believed this team could still perform well while dealing with these complex issues, he said: "Yeah, absolutely. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be right now. Here, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now.” I came in. "

The last time Miami used this starting lineup was on January 2, the Miami Heat lost 128-115 to the Indiana Pacers. Butler played 27 minutes, scored 9 points and 4 assists, and said after the game that he wanted to "get him." The joy of "coming back" and he doesn't believe it can be done in Miami.

Sources told ESPN that the Heat were hoping to find a deal that would satisfy Butler's desire to send him elsewhere, but so far this deal gives Miami what it's looking for - some combination of players that can help the Heat right now, The movable shorts — term salary, young players and draft capital — haven’t materialized yet.