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.

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

Jimmy Butler’s record-setting 56 points power Heat past Bucks 119-114, to stunning 3-1 series lead

April 25, 2023 at 12:42 p.m.

In a building where Dwyane Wade dazzled, Shaquille O'Neal dominated and LeBron James devastated, Jimmy Butler outdid them all Monday night. Scoring 56 points, the most in Miami Heat playoff...

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, talks with official Eric Lewis during Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff series against the Miami Heat on Saturday in Miami.

Antetokounmpo status remains up in air as Bucks, Heat move on to Game 4

April 24, 2023 at 1:52 p.m.

It was back to double duty Sunday for Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, with it still unclear when All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will be able to return to duty for...

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro had his broken right hand in a protective wrap at Tuesday's practice in Milwaukee.

Heat’s Tyler Herro devastated by gruesome hand injury; surgery set for Friday

April 19, 2023 at 3:50 p.m.

Tyler Herro couldn't believe it in the moment Sunday, still couldn't believe it at Tuesday's practice, and said he probably won't come to complete grips of being sidelined with a...

Is Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, seen here falling Sunday, down down for the count against the Heat?

All eyes now on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s bruised back in Heat-Bucks, coach ‘optimistic’

April 17, 2023 at 9:16 p.m.

It might not have appeared that way Sunday, but the Milwaukee Bucks have already shown this season they can have their way with the Miami Heat even when Giannis Antetokounmpo...

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler drives by Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

In a game Giannis and Herro are hurt, Butler gives Heat all they need in stunning 130-117 victory over Bucks

April 17, 2023 at 1:07 p.m.

This was not as forecast. It could not have been. Not this 130-117 Miami Heat victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night at Fiserv Forum. The teams are now...

After seeing his team lose Tuesday's play-in game to the Hawks, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra could have changes in mind.

Heat’s Spoelstra hints of lineup, rotation changes vs. Bulls in play-in

April 14, 2023 at 1:31 p.m.

Caleb Martin was the final player off the Miami Heat's practice court Thursday. The question now is whether he could be one of the first on the court when the...

Jimmy Butler (left) and Pau Gasol were Chicago Bulls teammates, as seen in this 2016 photo. Tuesday night, Butler attended the retirement of Gasol's jersey in Los Angeles.

Jimmy Butler uses day off between Heat games to jet to L.A. for Pau Gasol jersey retirement

March 8, 2023 at 10:52 p.m.

Amid what already is a hectic schedule for the Miami Heat, forward Jimmy Butler finds himself in the midst of a three-games-in-three-days stretch, after a crosscourt side trip on Tuesday....

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra plans a new look for his familiar roster.

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra: ‘Early signs are there’s some good things happening’

October 17, 2022 at 8:02 p.m.

Since it became clear in July that the Miami Heat would return mostly the same roster, the goal has been to create something different. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday his...

New-look Jimmy Butler was first to speak at Monday's Heat media day.

Heat’s Jimmy Butler shoots down playing power forward (and shows off new hairstyle); Herro downplays starting role, extension

September 26, 2022 at 6:12 p.m.

When it comes to Jimmy Butler potentially playing power forward this season, the Miami Heat's leading man said Monday that his team had better start considering Plan B. With power...

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka watches the game during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoff series against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Celtics’ Smart upgraded to probable, with Heat’s Lowry still out, as pandemic, protocols remain series factors

May 19, 2022 at 4:48 a.m.

The specter COVID and illness continues to be a factor in the Eastern Conference finals series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. A day after the Celtics big...

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