With Giannis Antetokounmpo returning after missing out on two games of the series against the Miami Heat, analysts and enthusiasts were almost certain that the Milwaukee Bucks would emerge victoriously in Game 4. However, Jimmy Butler had other plans.
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Tying for the fourth-best scoring performance in NBA Playoffs history, Jimmy Buckets lit up the Kaseya Center. Recording a historic 56-point performance, the 6-time All-Star led the Heat to erase a 15-point deficit, clinching a 119-114 win.
JIMMY BUTLER IS IN #PLAYOFFMODE
56 POINTS IN THE GAME 4 W.
HEAT WIN 119-114 TO TAKE A 3-1 SERIES LEAD. pic.twitter.com/YSel0liBvm
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023
Lodging the first-ever 50-point playoff performance in franchise history, head coach Erik Spoelstra lauded Jimmy:
“He’s one of the most intelligent basketball players in this association.”
Shaquille O’Neal and other former NBA stars praise Jimmy Butler
Several former NBA stars tipped their hats off to the 6-foot-7 swingman for the outstanding outing.
Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller called the 2015 Most Improved Player’s performance as the “greatest playoff performance by any Heat player”.
“This may be the greatest playoff performance by any Heat player.”
– Reggie Miller on Jimmy Butler
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) April 25, 2023
After the Florida-based franchise took a 3-1 series advantage against the #1 seeded Bucks, Charles Barkley couldn’t stop raving about the 6-time All-Star’s sensational night.
“That was the best performance I’ve seen since I’ve been on television… It was flat out incredible” 🔥
-Chuck on Jimmy Butler’s Game 4 #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rLOucezxJp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2023
NBA legend Magic Johnson took it to his social media giving Butler some much deserved praise.
Jimmy Butler put on the best performance this Playoff season scoring 56 points against the Milwaukee Bucks and ushering the Heat to a 3-1 Series lead!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 25, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal hyped up the Miami superstar by posting a graphic on his Instagram story that read:
This is the most “I’m Him” performance I’ve seen since “Him” became a thing.
Shaq certainly approves of Butler’s historic outing pic.twitter.com/0PwTq2nYs8
— Advait Jajodia (@Jajodia_Advait) April 25, 2023
Butler’s stats from the 2023 Playoffs
Leading the #8 Heat to a 3-1 lead against the Bucks, Butler has been extremely instrumental all series long.
Having recorded 36.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, the 4-time All-NBA player is on track to become the 3rd player to average 35/5/5 on 50+ FG% in a playoffs.
Jimmy Butler this series:
56 PTS, 2 AST, 9 REB, 68 % FG, 1 BLK
30 PTS, 4 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL, 63% FG, 100% 3P
25 PTS, 3 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL, 66% FG, 50% 3P
35 PTS, 11 AST, 5 REB, 3 STL, 55% FGJIMMY MF BUTLER. pic.twitter.com/pufUqTTqkW
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 25, 2023
A win away from upsetting the 2021 champs, Butler and co. are aiming to become the fifth #8 seed in playoffs history to advanced past No. 1 seeds in the first round.
