‘Can’t believe this’: Jimmy Butler blows minds with playoff explosion

Jimmy Butler has just produced a performance unlike anything the NBA has ever seen. His heroics are dropping jaws around the globe.

Jimmy Butler is not human. Photo by Megan Briggs / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP.

Jimmy Butler produced a scintillating 56-point performance as the Miami Heat scored a stunning come-from-behind victory to leave the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks on the brink of elimination from the NBA playoffs.

In an electrifying battle at Miami’s Kaseya Center, Butler all but single-handedly led Miami to a 119-114 win that leaves the Bucks 3-1 down in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.

Butler’s points haul was the joint fourth-highest individual scoring performance in an NBA playoff game ever.

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Only Michael Jordan (63 points), Elgin Baylor (61) and Donovan Mitchell (57) have scored more in a postseason game.

Jay King posted on Twitter: “Jimmy Butler is a bad man. The Heat are tough as hell. This is insane”.

NBA broadcaster Marc D’Amico posted: “This is one of the greatest playoff performances of my lifetime. All hail Jimmy Butler”.

Dan Le Batard was blown away.

“He fouled out Middleton. He guarded Giannis. He scored 56 almost exclusively on twos. He took as many free throws as any four Bucks combined. And got no more than 15 points from any teammate. And played more minutes than anyone. I can’t believe what I just saw,” he said.

The performance had NBA commentators reaching for the record books.

Jimmy Butler dropped the first TWO 20-point quarters in Heat postseason history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/73Obux9nbP

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 25, 2023

Jimmy Butler had 56 points in a 15-point comeback win against the Bucks in Game 4.

That is the most points in a 15-point comeback playoff win since Michael Jordan in Game 3 of the 1992 1st Round vs the Heat. Jordan also had 56 points. pic.twitter.com/VvVjwZq56y

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2023

Jimmy Butler ended with 56 points, the most in Heat postseason history.

It is tied for the 4th-most in a playoff game in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/Ai97NZTYLc

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2023

Milwaukee, who welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo back into their lineup after a two-game injury absence, had looked to be cruising towards victory after leading from the opening seconds and keeping Miami at arm’s length throughout.

Milwaukee led by 14 points early in the fourth quarter and seemed to be poised to square the series at two games apiece after a ruthless shooting performance from Brook Lopez with Antetokounmpo providing scoring support.

But Butler led an astonishing late 13-0 run to transform the contest and with the crowd roaring him on, scored a jaw-dropping 21 points in the fourth quarter to leave the Bucks shellshocked in defeat.

“For my team to get this (win), in this way, in this atmosphere, in this city, is huge,” an exhausted Butler said.

Butler is now relishing the chance of possibly eliminating the Bucks from the postseason in Milwaukee in game five on Wednesday.

“To play basketball in Milwaukee, in front of their crowd, to be together, on the road — that’s where championships are won. And we’ve got a shot,” Butler said.

Bow down and worship. Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images/AFP.

A special night. Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra saluted Butler’s basketball intelligence. “He’s one of the most intelligent basketball players in this association,” said Spoelstra.

“You can’t do what he does on both ends of the court just by running around and trying to figure things out.

“He understands what we’re trying to do and he understands what they’re trying to do — and they’re a very good team.” Butler’s tally came from 19-of-28 shooting with three three-pointers. Butler said his solo masterpiece was the result of a “complete team effort.”

“I know everybody sees the 56 points, but if my team-mates aren’t looking to get me the ball, or setting great screens, where I can get to my right or my left or the free throw line, this game’s a lot different,” Butler said.

“A lot of shots went in tonight. But my team-mates kept feeding me the ball and telling me to attack. When you’ve got team-mates like that, good things happen.”

Crucially, Butler’s haul included 22 points in the first quarter, a burst of scoring that helped Miami stay just in touch.

No other Miami player broke 20 points, with Bam Adebayo the next highest Miami scorer with 15 points. Only two other Miami players cracked double figures.

Milwaukee were left stunned at how victory had eluded them.

Lopez finished with 36 points and 11 rebounds while Antetokounmpo made a triple double on his return with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

“We had our opportunities in the fourth quarter but we didn’t make enough plays at either end, and they did,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.