Charles Barkley Takes a Jab at Miami’s Airplane Chaos After Losing Streak Extends Despite Bucks’ Practice Drama

The Milwaukee Bucks had a wild week, stuck in New Orleans for three days due to a winter storm that grounded flights, canceled practices, and pretty much everything else. They only managed to arrive a couple of hours before their game. On the other hand, the Miami Heat faced airplane delays, too, but instead of pushing through the chaos, they stumbled hard on the court. All this mess caught Charles Barkley’s attention, and as always, he didn’t hold back.

The Bucks, fueled by sheer determination—or maybe cabin fever—bounced back from a 15-point first-quarter deficit to crush the Heat 125-96. That’s Milwaukee’s fifth straight win, by the way. Meanwhile, Miami? Not so lucky. They’ve now lost four out of their last five games, including back-to-back defeats.

During ‘Inside the NBA,’ the crew reacted to the chaos and the results. That’s when Chuck decided to throw some shade. Ernie Johnson set the stage, describing the Bucks’ travel nightmare. “Miami and Milwaukee have put all kinds of trouble for the Bucks to get out of New Orleans with all that snow,” he explained.

And in true Charles Barkley fashion, he couldn’t resist taking a jab: “That’s the best thing that happened to the Heat. They couldn’t get there.” 

So, how did the Bucks survive the madness? Snowed in for three days with no Tuesday practice or Wednesday shootaround, they made the best of a rough situation. The NBA eventually postponed Wednesday’s game, but you’d think three days of hotel boredom would leave the Bucks flat. Not even close.

And credit where it’s due: the players made it work. Giannis Antetokounmpo found a hotel ballroom to practice dribbling, Damian Lillard got hooked on Netflix between workouts, and Bobby Portis? He turned his room into a card game hotspot. Turns out, a little improvisation can go a long way—and when it came to Thursday’s game, the Bucks proved they were more than ready. Miami, not so much.

Barkley’s criticize Heat chaos

It’s been a rough few weeks for Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. For the second time in three weeks, Butler found himself suspended—this time for missing the team’s flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday. The suspension will cost him two games, including matchups against the Bucks and Nets. The Heat didn’t hold back, calling it a “continued pattern of disregard for team rules” and “conduct detrimental to the team.” While the official statement was harsh, it raises a bigger question: Has Butler already played his last game for Miami?

Interestingly, the earliest Butler could return is Monday’s game against Orlando, but even that’s up in the air. Rumors are swirling that he’s been pushing for a trade behind closed doors. Of course, Jimmy’s keeping it quiet—openly demanding a trade could cost him a hefty $150,000 fine. But with tensions boiling, it’s hard to see a peaceful resolution in sight.

And Charles Barkley isn’t pulling punches on this drama. “He’s going to lose,” Barkley declared, pointing to Pat Riley’s legacy as one of the league’s sharpest executives. Chuck didn’t mince words, making it clear that Riley holds all the cards: “Pat Riley’s not going to lose.”

Chuck also highlighted the financial hit Butler is taking with his rebellion. “Jimmy just wasted money,” he said. “No matter how much money you’ve got, $3 million is a lot.” According to Barkley, challenging Riley’s authority is a losing battle. And if Butler thinks the Heat will settle for “$0.50 on the dollar” in a trade, Chuck says he’s in for a rude awakening.