Following Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler has now passed LeBron James in the Miami Heat playoff record books.
The Miami Heat once had a 2-0 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After Game 4, the series is now tied after the 76ers pulled off the 116-108 Game 4 win. In that contest, Jimmy Butler scored 40 points, but it was not enough to pick up the victory.
Even though Butler may have lost, he did accomplish something. Butler now has four playoff games with the Heat where he scored 40 points or more. That is more than LeBron James, who had three playoff performances like that in his tenure with Miami.
Jimmy Butler has more 40-point playoff games with Heat than LeBron James
Despite passing James, Butler is now ranked second for most 40-point playoff games. First place is none other than Heat legend Dwyane Wade, who recorded seven such playoff games in his career with Miami. So, Butler can tie it with three more playoff games.
Tonight marks Jimmy Butler’s 4th Playoff game with 40+ points as a member of the @MiamiHEAT, passing LeBron James (3) for the 2nd most such games in Heat Franchise history, trailing only Dwyane Wade (7 such games). pic.twitter.com/KjgxkzRk3E
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 9, 2022
Here are all of the 40-point performances that Butler has had in the playoffs while wearing a Heat uniform:
2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: 40 points2020 NBA Finals Game 3 vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 40 points2022 Eastern Conference First Round Game 2 vs. Atlanta Hawks: 45 points2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 vs. 76ers: 40 points
During Game 4 against Philadelphia, Butler was an impressive 13-for-20 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free throw line.
The Heat had the advantage in the first two games of the series, as Joel Embiid was sidelined due to an orbital fracture and concussion. Once he made his return to the lineup, the 76ers took the next two games.
While passing LeBron in the Heat record books is nice and all, Butler will look to help bring the team back into the series with a Game 5 win on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
