Jimmy Butler consistently downplays the narrative that his offensive production increases during the NBA playoffs.
During the 2022–23 regular season, the Heat star averaged 22.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. In his four-year span with Miami, Butler has averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists during the regular season.
But when it comes to the playoffs, Butler is averaging 27.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this postseason and 24.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists through four playoff runs with the Heat, the best postseason numbers that he’s posted for any of the teams he’s played with.
While the numbers suggest that the 33-year-old elevates his game when the stakes are at their highest, the six-time All-Star still maintains that “Playoff Jimmy” is not a real trend.
“I’m not a scorer … just because I score a lot of points one game doesn’t make you a scorer,” Butler told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m not a volume shooter. I don’t do any of that. … If I pass the ball every possession and we win, I don’t care. If I shoot the ball every possession and we win, I don’t care. This Playoff Jimmy narrative is not a thing. I just want to win.”
Prior to the start of this year’s NBA Finals, Butler ranked No. 1 in clutch points, steals and isolation points. He finished with 21 points in Miami’s win against the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.
As the series shifts to Miami for Game 3, Butler’s postseason brilliance will be on full display once again as the Heat seek to take a 2-1 advantage on Wednesday in the best-of-seven series.
