In one of the most bizarre and humorous moments of the NBA season, Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield found himself at the center of a wardrobe mishap — and he’s pointing the finger at none other than Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. According to Hield, it was Butler who jokingly told him to wear the wrong shorts during a recent Pacers vs. Heat matchup, leading to confusion, laughter, and a minor delay in the game.
The incident occurred during pregame warmups when Hield came out onto the court wearing the wrong set of shorts — not matching the rest of his team’s uniform. Officials noticed the mismatch shortly after tip-off and had to pause the game briefly so Hield could switch into the correct gear. While initially seen as a simple equipment error, the story took a hilarious twist when Hield claimed after the game that Jimmy Butler had jokingly advised him to wear the alternate shorts, assuring him they were correct.
“He looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Yeah, those are the ones, bro. You’re good,’” Hield told reporters with a laugh. “I should’ve known he was messing with me — it’s Jimmy, man. But I trusted him!”
Whether Butler was genuinely joking or simply playing along in the moment remains unclear, but the interaction is a perfect reflection of his well-known on-court antics and offbeat sense of humor. Butler has built a reputation as a fierce competitor with a playful, sometimes trolling personality, and this incident seems to fit squarely within that persona.
The mishap itself had little impact on the game’s outcome, but it quickly went viral on social media. Fans were amused not just by Hield’s wardrobe mix-up, but by the idea that a rival player — especially someone as unpredictable as Butler — had a hand in it. Memes circulated within minutes, and even players from around the league chimed in with jokes and playful jabs at Hield’s expense.
Despite being the butt of the joke, Hield took it all in stride. Known for his easygoing personality and love of the game, he laughed off the situation and admitted he should’ve double-checked with a teammate or equipment manager. “That’s on me,” he said. “But I’m blaming Jimmy anyway.”
The NBA has seen its fair share of strange moments, but this one stands out for its sheer randomness and the light-hearted camaraderie it revealed between opponents. In an ultra-competitive league, it’s rare to see these kinds of humorous, behind-the-scenes moments come to the surface. For fans, it was a refreshing reminder that even professional athletes can get caught slipping — especially when Jimmy Butler is involved.
As for Butler, he hasn’t officially responded to the claim, but if history is any indication, he’s probably somewhere laughing — mission accomplished. And next time Buddy Hield suits up against the Heat, you can bet he’ll double-check his shorts — and probably think twice before taking fashion advice from No. 22.
