In a closely contested matchup, the Boston Celtics held on to secure a 110-106 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon at the Kaseya Center. However, the game was overshadowed by the absence of Heat's star player, Jimmy Butler, who took a leave of absence to cope with a tragic loss in his family.

The leave of absence was announced by the Miami Heat just before tip-off. In a statement, the team revealed that Butler had been granted the time off to deal with the death of a family member. The Heat organization requested privacy for Butler and his family during this difficult time, without providing further details or specifying when he would return to the court.

Despite missing their key player, the Heat put up a strong fight against the Celtics. Tyler Herro stepped up in Butler's absence, leading the Heat with 24 points and an impressive 10-of-21 shooting from the field. Bam Adebayo also had a notable performance with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Caleb Martin contributed 15 points.

However, it was the Celtics who emerged victorious thanks to an outstanding performance by Jayson Tatum, who came close to achieving a triple-double. Tatum finished the game with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Kristaps Portingiz provided valuable support with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points, propelling the Celtics to the win.

With this victory, the Celtics improved their season record to an impressive 41-12. Their cohesive team effort, shooting nearly 51% from the field, secured the narrow triumph against a resilient Heat squad.

As for the Heat, they now hold a 28-25 record, placing them in eighth place in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference. However, the absence of Butler will be keenly felt as they face tough upcoming matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

The basketball community stands in solidarity with Jimmy Butler and his family during this challenging time. The Heat organization will no doubt provide any necessary support to their star player as he navigates this loss. Updates regarding Butler's return to the court will be communicated when appropriate.