Butler misses T-Wolves shootaround amid drama

Jimmy Butler was absent as the Minnesota Timberwolves wrapped up preparations for their preseason finale Friday night.

Butler has demanded a trade but returned to practice with the team Wednesday, a session that included him verbally challenging teammates and coaches. He was not with the team at Friday's shootaround in Milwaukee.

Coach Tom Thibodeau, speaking publicly for the first time since Wednesday's practice, said Butler was doing conditioning work in Minneapolis and had not been suspended.

Asked if Butler would play in Minnesota's regularseason opener at San Antonio next Wednesday, Thibodeau said: "The situation remains fluid."

Source: Winslow agrees to 3-year extension with Heat

Justise Winslow has agreed to a $39 million, three-year extension with the Miami Heat. A person with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed the terms to The Associated Press on Friday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Winslow isn't signing the contract until this weekend. Winslow averaged 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds on 41 percent shooting over his first three seasons, playing mostly as a reserve. He was the No. 10 pick in the 2015 draft out of Duke.

Nowitzki to miss Mavs' opener

Dirk Nowitzki's debut in his record 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks won't be in the opener.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Friday the 40-year-old Nowitzki will miss "multiple weeks" with a longer-than-expected recovery from left ankle surgery in April.

Spurs’ White out 6-8 weeks as injuries thin backcourt

San Antonio point guard Derrick White will miss six-toeight weeks after injuring his left heel in his first game as a starter since replacing Dejounte Murray, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

White injured his heel during San Antonio's 130-127 preseason loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

White's injury caps an injury-filled week for the revamped backcourt.

The Spurs lost Murray to season-ending surgery after his knee buckled Sunday against Houston. Rookie Lonnie Walker IV will miss at least six weeks after sustaining a knee injury last Friday.

Patty Mills is expected to start in White's place.