Jimmy Butler Claims ‘Playoff Jimmy’ Is Not a Thing After Dropping 56 vs. Bucks

Jimmy Butler Claims ‘Playoff Jimmy’ Is Not a Thing After Dropping 56 vs. Bucks

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 25, 2023 at 3:30 PM
  • Jimmy Butler has said the 'Playoff Jimmy' moniker does not exist despite scoring 56 in Game 4
  • He led the Miami Heat to a comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks, helping them lead the series
  • Only three players in history have scored more points in the NBA playoffs series than Butler

Miami Heat star, Jimmy Butler has said 'Playoff Jimmy' is not a thing despite producing an incredible performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the series.

Butler scored 56 points in the clash to help his team narrowly win 119-114 and take a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the playoffs.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Bucks, NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Allen Iverson,l Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday
Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks. Photo by Megan Briggs.
Source: Getty Images

No matter what the six-time All-Star said, 'Playoff Jimmy' was activated on Monday night. The 33-year-old finished with 56 points and nine rebounds on 19-of-28 shooting from the field, 3-of-8 from three, and 15-of-18 from the free-throw line, per ESPN.

With his team trailing in the fourth quarter, Butler played 41 minutes, leading his team to a phenomenal comeback win over NBA title favorites. They are now one win away from eliminating the top-seeded Bucks in the opening round.

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Butler on 'Playoff Jimmy' nickname

After the game, the Heat star said his supposed moniker is not a thing.

"It's not a thing. It's not. I just be hooping," he said, according to Bleacher Report.

Butler may not want to accept the nickname, but it is clear he elevates his game in the playoffs.

He averaged 22.9 points in the regular season but is now averaging 36.5 points per game in the playoffs, the best in the league.

Only three players have scored more in a playoff game. Michael Jordan scored 63 in 1986, Elgin Baylor dropped 61 in 1962, and Donovan Mitchell scored 57 in 2020.

He said the performance in Game 4 was the reason the team wanted him there.

"I want to do everything for my team to win, along with everybody on this roster. I think [team president, Pat Riley and coach, Erik Spoelstra] wanted me here for a reason. I feel like this is part of that reason," he said, via ESPN.

Butler and the Heat will be looking to close the series early in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Butler's highest-scoring games

Sports Brief earlier reported on Butler's highest-scoring playoff games after his 56-point display in Game 4.

He helped the Miami Heat avoid an exit from the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 47 points in Game 6.

Butler started the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals with a bang, scoring 41 points in Game 1 against the Celtics.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.