Sports Reporter

Ira Winderman

Ira Winderman is a sports reporter for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, specializing in coverage of the NBA and Miami Heat, having covered the team since its 1988 inception. He is a co-author of The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball, having won awards for his coverage from the Professional Basketball Writers Association and Florida Sports Writers Association.

Clippers guard Norman Powell in action after a basket against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of Game 6 of a NBA first round playoff basketball game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group)

Miami Heat acquire Los Angeles Clippers’ Norman Powell in trade for Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love

July 7, 2025 at 3:42 p.m.

In their first major swing of the offseason personnel period, the Miami Heat have added much needed scoring punch with a trade for Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, tells the crowd the Chiefs want to win another Super Bowl next season, during their victory rally in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Fly Eagles Fly? Not to Pat Riley, who can cash in his ‘Three-Peat’ trademark if Chiefs win Super Bowl.

February 6, 2025 at 9:01 a.m.

With a Kansas City Chiefs victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Pat Riley again will be able to cash in with his Three-Peat trademark from his championship coaching days with the...

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade reacts after being honored for his Hall of Fame induction during halftime at Kaseya Center on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Miami. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dwyane Wade, 43, reveals cancer diagnosis, with kidney surgery over a year ago

February 1, 2025 at 6:37 p.m.

Dwyane Wade revealed on his "The Why" with Dwyane Wade podcast that 40% of his right kidney was removed during a December 2023 procedure.

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade hugs Jimmy Butler after being honored for his Hall of Fame induction at Kaseya Center on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Miami. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

As Jimmy Butler’s Heat suspension ends, Dwyane Wade sees ‘tragic’ loss for all involved

January 17, 2025 at 7:23 a.m.

It's the end game of Jimmy Butler's seven-game suspension by the Miami Heat — and the situation is nonetheless ongoing.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler warms up on the court before an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Butler suspended seven games without pay for ‘conduct detrimental to team’; Heat career likely over

January 3, 2025 at 9:39 p.m.

The tipping point apparently came in the wake of Wednesday's victory over the New Orleans Pelicans when it came to Jimmy Butler's souring relationship with the Miami Heat turning toxic.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, third from left, and forward Duncan Robinson, right, watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Jimmy Butler says joy is lost with the Heat. Can he get it back in Miami? ‘Probably not.’

January 3, 2025 at 6:44 p.m.

The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler appear to have reached a point of no return, with rumor and conjecture of a trade desire turning into something more tangible.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald)

‘We are not trading Jimmy Butler,’ says Miami Heat President Pat Riley

December 27, 2024 at 8:01 a.m.

In the wake of increasing conjecture of Jimmy Butler pushing for a trade and the team considering a trade, Miami Heat President Pat Riley on Thursday issued a terse and...

A close up of the newly unveiled Dwyane Wade in front of Kaseya Center on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami. (D.A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

‘Like that’s crazy. Who is that guy?’ Dwyane Wade’s new statue unveiled in front of Miami Heat arena.

October 28, 2024 at 10:38 a.m.

If there was any doubt, there can be none now: The Miami Heat's arena is Dwyane Wade's house.

Then-coach Pat Riley hugs team owner Micky Arison during the Heat's run to the 2006 NBA championship, the first of three under Riley's stewarship. (Sun Sentinel file photo)

Miami Heat court will be dedicated Wednesday to Pat Riley, who’s still running at 79. And there’s no finish line in sight yet.

October 22, 2024 at 9:39 a.m.

Pat Riley, 79, is still running, 30 years into this Heat tenure, preparing yet again for a season. But he's also preparing for the formal dedication of “Pat Riley Court...

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Kaseya Center on Monday, April 24, 2023 in Miami.

From Embiid to Draymond, NBA players with overwhelming admiration for Butler’s 56: ‘Crazy’, ‘Animal’

April 25, 2023 at 2:06 p.m.

Sometimes it is about more than the competition. Sometimes it is about the admiration. Monday night was one of those moments, after Jimmy Butler scored 56 points for the No....

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