Jimmy Butler gave a withering assessment of T.J. Warren, calling the Indianapolis Pacers forward "trash" after the two clashed in the Miami Heat's bad-blooded road win.
Warren was ejected in the third quarter of the Heat's 122-108 triumph having twice tangled with Butler, who squared up to his opponent and shouted in his direction before blowing him kisses as he walked off.
"You're f---ing trash."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 9, 2020
Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren got tangled up, and both players had a few words for each other 🤬 pic.twitter.com/C0VCJuuEFW
Speaking afterwards, Butler, who had 14 points, let rip again.
"I think it's tough for him because I can guard him and he can't guard me," he said in quotes published on ESPN.
"At the end of the day, that's what it comes down to. I think you just gotta watch your mouth in certain situations. Some s*** you just don't say as a man.
"He gotta see me the next time because I feel like what he said was truly disrespectful, and it's all good cos we see him again."
Jimmy Butler says he’s not scared of TJ Warren
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 9, 2020
“He gotta see me the next time” pic.twitter.com/PAn0t2CT0n
Butler added: "He's soft.
"He's not even in my f***ing league. Nowhere near me.
"If I was their coach, I would never put him on me. Ever again... He's trash."
Warren did not speak to reporters afterwards and Butler continued to come after him on social media, uploading a picture of the Heat's schedule on Instagram with Miami's next game against the Pacers circled.
Butler wrote: "@t.warren1 don't be mad you can't guard me. We will see what you about in March."