“Jimmy Butler is the First Player…”: LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal Are Beaten as Heat Star Completes Incredible Scoring Record

At some point, before we realized it, the concept of Playoff Jimmy Butler became like that of aliens. It’s impossible for them to not exist, but some still believe that they just don’t. The Heat star had yet another massive game, this time a 42-point explosion to send Giannis Antetokounnmpo and the Bucks away packing. However, as if that wasn’t good enough, with this performance Butler became the first person in the Heat’s history to do something very special, something that even LeBron James and even Shaquille O’Neal could do nothing but dream of.

Of course, there is quite a bit to unpack here. So, without any further ado, let’s dive right in, shall we?

 

Jimmy Butler becomes the first player in Miami Heat’s history to have 40 points or higher in consecutive NBA playoff games

Of course, this only relates to Miami Heat players, so those like Michael Jordan who have never played for the franchise are immediately thrown out of the running for it. That said, the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James are very much in the running here. And yet, despite their strong tenures with the Miami Heat, the NBA’s Twitter account had the honor of putting this post out after Butler’s big game. Take a look.

Jimmy Butler is the first player in @MiamiHEAT history with back-to-back 40-point Playoff games.

Special. pic.twitter.com/HbMUxIbz7e

— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2023

“Jimmy Butler is the first player in (Miami Heat’s) history to with back-to-back 40-point games.”

Given just how great they were during their times in Miami it is a bit weird to think that they were never able to get 2 consecutive 40+ point nights in the playoffs. However, perhaps that’s just how difficult the postseason really is. Something that makes Jimmy’s achievement that much more special.

 

What about total 40+ point games in the playoffs?

Jimmy Butler is part of that rare breed of players that somehow seems to get way better in the playoffs. In fact, some say he only performs well in the playoffs. And so, these kinds of performances are relatively common for the man.

Given that fact, we decided we’d see where his tally of 8 40+ point performances ranks all time when it comes to the number of explosions in the playoffs. And as per StatMuse, he stands as high as 13^th, when compared to the history of the NBA. These are the only players listed ahead of him in the category.

1. Michael Jordan (38 games)
2. LeBron James (28 games)
3. Jerry West (20 games)
4. Kevin Durant (14 games)
5. Elgin Baylor (14 games)
6. Kobe Bryant (13 games)
7. Wilt Chamberlain (13 games)
8. Shaquille O’Neal (12 games)
9. Hakeem Olajuwon (11 games)
10. Allen Iverson (10 games)
11. James Harden (9 games)
12. Kareem Abdul Jabbar (9 games)