Tweets from Minnesota Timberwolves wing Jimmy Butler are a rarity, but after watching the actions of one of his teammates from afar Friday night, the four-time All-Star just couldn't help himself.
Jeff Teague was sent to the locker room because of a flagrant-2 foul after body checking Utah Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's eventual eight-point loss at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Butler appears to be on board with Teague showing some physicality, implying as much in his first tweets since 2016 after the game.
haven’t used Twitter in years. But yeah Jeff that’s what I like to see. Rubio getting up quick for no reason.
— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) March 3, 2018
He then sent out a warning to Jazz forward Jae Crowder, who got in Teague's face in defense of Rubio before officials intervened. Crowder also got into a back and forth with Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, resulting in his own ejection.
Jae get away from my coach. You don’t want no smoke either
— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) March 3, 2018
Crowder eventually responded to Butler's tweet, saying that he doesn't want to have a war of words on social media, and would rather deal with matters over the phone or even face to face.
I DONT TWITTER BEEF ILL LEAVE THAT TO U.. BUT U GOT MY PHONE NUMBER AND KNOW MY HOME ADDRESS..!! THE REST CAN BE HISTORY 😈😈 https://t.co/FGDRYnYyg5
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) March 3, 2018
His tweet wasn't meant to be malicious, though. "That's my guy," Crowder said of Butler in the locker room.
Jae Crowder talks about the postgame “Twitter beef” with @JimmyButler. Both are Marquette guys. He says it’s not serious and is in the locker room laughing it off. “That’s my guy,” Crowder said. pic.twitter.com/LlNtJSZRdf
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) March 3, 2018
Butler is currently out of action after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, with his recovery timeline set at four-to-six weeks.
The Timberwolves and Jazz square off one more time this season on April 1.
