Jimmy Butler leads incredible fightback after heated clash with rival

Jimmy Butler has flipped the NBA Playoffs on its head - and it was all sparked by a wild on-court exchange with a Boston Celtics rival.

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Jimmy Butler has led a fourth-quarter fightback as the Miami Heat stunned the Boston Celtics 111-105 to take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference finals series on Saturday.

Miami talisman Butler finished with 27 points as the eighth seeds grabbed a second straight victory at Boston’s TD Garden to leave the Celtics with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the NBA finals.

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Miami had trailed by 11 points early in the fourth quarter and the Celtics led by as much as nine with under seven minutes of the final frame remaining.

But Butler led a sensational 20-9 Miami run in the final minutes of the fourth quarter that turned the game on its head and leaves his team just two wins away from returning to the NBA finals as the best-of-seven series heads to Miami for games three and four.

“We got some dogs, and I love it, I love every bit of it,” an elated Butler said after the Miami win.

“Guys never quit, guys never give up, we love playing with one another -- we got so much faith and trust in one another.”

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Nine of Butler’s 27 points came during the fourth-quarter rally, with the Miami star seemingly fired up after an angry nose-to-nose exchange with Boston’s Grant Williams midway through the fourth quarter.

Jimmy Butler and Grant Williams. 🍿🍿

pic.twitter.com/prH4P4lxMh

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 20, 2023

THANK YOU, GRANT WILLIAMS, FOR POKING THE PLAYOFF BEAR THAT IS JIMMY BUTLER. YOU DARED TO TALK TO TRASH TO HIM, GW, AND HE JUST TOOK OUT THE TRASH.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 20, 2023

The way Jimmy Butler smiled at Grant Williams, he was like “boy sit down, let me show you something..” 😭 #jimmybutler#heatcelticspic.twitter.com/yxzbSXJctI

— RuisBookie (@MiticPete) May 20, 2023

PLAYOFF JIMMY BUTLER TODAY:

27 POINTS
8 REB
6 AST
3 STL
2 BLK

REAL MEN TALK TRASH WHEN THEY DOWN DONT POKE THE BEAR pic.twitter.com/Gga4r5oof8

— Buhownz 🪼 (@Demar305) May 20, 2023

At that stage in the game, Boston led 96-89, but Miami launched a devastating late run that turned the contest decisively in favour of the Heat.

“Just healthy competition, and I love it,” Butler said afterwards of his exchange with Williams.

“I’m always here to compete, I like to talk at times, as long as we get the win I’m good with it though.”

Jimmy Butler was on fire. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios, a huge Celtics fan, was fuming at Williams’ involvement late in the match, suggesting his aggression was to blame for the loss.

The last thing I expected today was to tune in to a game of this importance and seen one of the most irrelevant players so far in the playoffs talking shit to the best and then proceeding to get subbed off and lose the series for us. GG’s next year ☘️

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 20, 2023

Ever since grant williams has opened his mouth the whole momentum has changed. Good one grant, you are a genius.

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 20, 2023

Grant Williams lost us the series. Guy should of stayed on the bench.

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 20, 2023

Meanwhile, Butler received offensive support from Caleb Martin with 25 points off the bench, while Bam Adebayo delivered another all-round effort with 22 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.

Duncan Robinson added 15 points from the bench including three three-pointers.

A shell-shocked Boston meanwhile were left reflecting on another shattering defeat at home despite 34 points from Jayson Tatum.

Jaylen Brown finished with 16 points but had a wayward shooting night, making only 7-of-23 from the field, while Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon had 13 points apiece.

Game three takes place in Miami on Sunday.

Originally published as Jimmy Butler leads incredible fightback after heated clash with rival