Timberwolves’ Butler misses preseason finale

Minnesota guard Jimmy Butler was absent as the Timberwolves wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 143-121 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

Butler has demanded a trade but returned to practice with the team Wednesday, a session that included him verbally challenging teammates and coaches.

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 regular-season opener at San Antonio next Wednesday, Thibodeau said: “The situation remains fluid.”

Butler told ESPN following Wednesday’s practice that his issues with the Timberwolves have not been fixed.

“Let’s just be honest. It could be,” Butler said in the interview. “But do I think so? No.”

Center Karl-Anthony Towns would not address what happened at that practice or whether a players meeting was held Thursday.

“I think the only thing that needs to be clarified is we’re excited to pick up a basketball here today in Milwaukee,” Towns said. Asked if he would be happy to play with Butler in the season opener, Towns said, “I’m happy to play basketball with anybody.”

Butler will be a free agent after the season and would be eligible to sign a five-year deal at that point. Towns and Andrew Wiggins have signed five-year contracts with the Timberwolves.

Minnesota forward Taj Gibson, who played with Butler in Chicago, said he did not think Wednesday’s practice was out of the ordinary.

“I felt it was like a normal practice, but it was new for guys,” Gibson said. “It’s only our second year together (in Minnesota), but I’ve been around Jimmy for a long time.

“We always had practices like that in Chicago. It was always a good competition, and at the end of the practice everybody shook up and we still understood we were teammates.”

Nowitzki still recovering: Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki’s debut in his record 21st season with the Mavericks won’t be in the opener.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Nowitzki, 40, will miss “multiple weeks” as he continues to recover after having left ankle surgery in April. The Mavericks open the season Wednesday in Phoenix.

Depleted Spurs: San Antonio point guard Derrick White is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks after injuring his left heel Wednesday during a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. It was White’s first game as a starter since replacing Dejounte Murray, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Former St. Mary’s standout Patty Mills is expected to start in White’s place.