Jimmy Butler stats: ‘Nightmare’ Game 5 draws ire from Skip Bayless, Emmanuel Acho, others on social media
Jimmy Butler #JimmyButler
Jimmy Butler earned his nickname “Playoff Jimmy” for most of the 2023 NBA postseason. The Heat star looked like anything but that for much of Game 5, clanking shot after shot in Denver’s mile-high altitude.
Butler was far from his effective self, struggling with the Nuggets’ length and versatility off screens. He looked timid and was regularly outshined by teammates Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry.
All that amounted to a mountain of a hill for Miami to climb. Ultimately, it was too much for the Heat to overcome, as they lost 94-89 to the Nuggets, giving Denver a 4-1 NBA Finals victory.
Butler’s late scoring outburst — he dropped 13 straight points deep in the fourth quarter — gave Heat fans hope. But a pair of errors — first, a turnover, then an ill-advised 3-point attempt — consigned Miami to its fate.
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Social media was in a frenzy, with numerous talking heads having their say on Jimmy Buckets’ dud.
Jimmy Butler stats in Game 5 Points Rebounds Assists FGs Made/FGs Attempted Turnovers 21 7 5 5/17 1
Butler’s scoring, rebounding and assist numbers from Game 5 all sat near his regular season averages. But it was anything but a classic performance from the All-NBA caliber talent, who saw shot after shot miss the target.
Butler entered the fourth quarter with just eight points to his name. And despite a pair of big 3-point makes, as well as a contentious foul call on another 3-point attempt, it was hard to wipe away the frustration of his display. That was especially true when he carelessly tossed the ball to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with less than a minute left in the game.
Social media reactions to Jimmy Butler’s Game 5
Suffice to say, social media wasn’t the most complimentary of his display. Numerous talking heads and basketball fans weighed in on his Game 5 dud and criticized his performance in what ended up being the final game of the 2023 NBA postseason.