Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler showcased one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, scoring a career-high 56 points on Monday night’s Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Heat to a 3-1 series lead (ESPN) and putting the Bucks on the brink (CBS Sports). Butler’s 56 points broke Miami’s playoff record, previously held by Dwyane Wade with 46 points in 2005 (USA Today). He smiled and shook his head when asked about his nickname “Playoff Jimmy”, denying its existence and proving that his elite status in the game can no longer be denied (Bleacher Report).
The NBA family couldn’t help but react to Butler’s breathtaking performance, setting a playoff franchise record as he carried the Heat on his back (NBA.com). The historic night also put Butler at the fourth spot of the NBA all-time playoff list, behind only Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West (Sun Sentinel).
Butler’s performance was nothing short of impressive. He scored in various ways – hitting mid-range jumpers, driving to the basket, and shooting threes when necessary (CBS Sports). “He stuck with it, and he was probably the only one on the team that wasn’t afraid of the moment,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Butler’s game-winning display.
Now, the question remains if Butler can continue to dominate as they head to Game 5 against the Bucks (Sun Sentinel). Regardless, his performance on Monday night has etched his name in NBA playoff history and cemented his place among the game’s elite players (CBS Sports).
