Thanks to Duncan Robinson’s 4th quarter heroics in Game 2, the Miami Heat clinched a 111-108 win to level the series on the road. With the series tied at 1-game apiece, both teams fly down to Florida in the hopes of a Game 3 win. With tonight’s contest being extremely crucial, in terms of gaining momentum in the series, Jimmy Butler has his $200,000,000 worth Brazilian friend, Neymar Jr., cheering him on from courtside.
Advertisement
After becoming pals with the global football sensation in 2017, after a chance encounter during Paris Fashion Week, Jimmy Buckets revealed his desire to share the field with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe during his visit to the Paris Saint-Germain facility in 2019. In attendance to witness the Game 3 clash, ‘Ney'(as his hooper friend likes to call him) is set to display his support for Miami by donning a Butler jacket. While the Heat forward was joking about trying his luck in soccer, he now has a brilliant opportunity to put on a show for the 2015 UEFA Champions League winner.
NBA Twitter reacts as Neymar Jr. wears a Jimmy Butler jacket in Game 3
Several celebrities have arrived at the Kaseya Center to witness Erik Spoelstra’s boys take on the Western Conference Champs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Neymar Jr. is one such big name who will be cheering for the South Beach side.
As seen in this NBA TV tweet, the 5-time Ligue 1 champ is wearing a Jimmy Butler jacket to show his support.
Neymar’s Jimmy Butler jacket for Game 3 🔥
🎥: @MiamiHEAT pic.twitter.com/mTNrJNzkW2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 8, 2023
Several NBA fans expressed their admiration for the jacket Neymar had on. Here are some reactions.
That jacket is 🔥
— . (@Yankees_Heat_) June 8, 2023
Jimmy going crazy tonight
— Alex Rao (@AlexRao17866809) June 8, 2023
With the news of Lionel Messi transferring to MLS’ Inter Miami, fans even tried recruiting the skillful dribbler to join his former teammate.
Tell him to come to @InterMiamiCF ‼️‼️‼️
— GucciSerg (@sergiodaGOAT) June 8, 2023
Jimmy and Neymar spend some time ahead of Game 3
Even though the two athletes met for the first time in 2017, they grew closer during the summer of 2019. Since then, they have been spotted at each other’s games and have also praised each other whenever given a chance.
After Jimmy expressed his desire of wanting Neymar to watch the Finals live, the soccer star obliged. Prior to Game 3, the two spent some time on the hardwood and even bonded over a meal.