Warren holds no ill will toward Butler: 'Guys get into it all the time'
Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren is set to square off against Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler for the first time since their infamous altercation during a January matchup.
Warren holds no ill will toward Butler ahead of Monday's highly anticipated game, even though the latter continued to attack him afterward during his postgame interview and on social media.
"It's nothing new. Guys get into it all the time, whether it's in the parks, open gyms, anywhere," Warren told ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "It's a part of the game and when you compete at a high level like that, you're going to run into other competitors. It's just the nature of basketball."
Warren is turning heads with his strong play during the restart. The 26-year-old is averaging 34.8 points on a sizzling 60.5% shooting to go along with 6.6 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game over his last five contests. He notched a career-high 53 points during the Pacers' opening game in Orlando.
Butler has missed the Heat's past three matchups due to injury, but he plans to play Monday.
Indiana and Miami will square off twice over the next five days, and the two clubs could meet again in the first round of the playoffs.