This is the sound no basketball fan wants to hear: a player screaming in pain, clutching his knee, while his teammates frantically wave for a timeout.
That was Jimmy Butler on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors.
The Miami Heat star went down midway through the third quarter with what's being called a right knee injury. Butler had just scored 17 points in what was an emotional return game against his former team - the Warriors traded him to Miami years ago - when he collapsed in obvious agony.
The Warriors immediately called timeout. Butler was helped off the floor, and the Heat's season - already complicated by trade rumors - just got a whole lot more uncertain.
Let me be clear: we don't have a diagnosis yet. But the video doesn't look good, folks. Butler's reaction told you everything you need to know about the severity. This is a guy who's played through everything, and he looked genuinely worried.
Here's why this matters beyond just Miami's playoff hopes: Butler has been the subject of trade speculation all season. Multiple teams were reportedly interested in acquiring the six-time All-Star before the February deadline. But a serious knee injury? That changes everything.
No team is trading valuable assets for a player with a question mark next to his name. Trade value, like stock prices, can crater in an instant. And if Butler is out for an extended period, Miami's front office faces an impossible decision: hold onto a depreciating asset or sell at a massive discount.
The Heat were already struggling to find their identity this season. Losing Butler - whether for weeks or months - could derail whatever slim playoff chances they had left.
I've seen careers change on plays like this. I've seen championship windows slam shut because of one bad step, one awkward landing. According to ESPN, Butler sustained the injury during Golden State's 135-112 victory, and he did not return.
Now we wait. Wait for the MRI results. Wait to see if Miami's season is over before it ever really began.
That's sports, folks - sometimes cruel, always unpredictable.
