Jimmy Butler Makes NBA History In Heat-Bucks Game 5 On Wednesday

Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler made NBA history in the Heat's series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Jimmy Butler has been unstoppable as of late and he propelled the Miami Heat to achieving the impossible on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. 

In Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks leading the series 3-1, the Heat trailed by 16 points entering the final quarter of play, but Miami kept chipping away at Milwaukee's lead until they had a chance to tie the game with just seconds remaining. 

That was when Jimmy Butler hit a ridiculous, jaw-dropping shot to tie the game and force overtime, giving the Heat all the momentum they needed to come away with a 128-126 overtime victory on the road and clinch the series. 

JIMMY BUTLER SENDS GAME 5 TO OT 😱

HE'S GOT 40 PTS. UNBELIEVABLE.

📺: NBA TV pic.twitter.com/x9AGDSlxpC

— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2023

Not only did the Miami Heat make NBA history by becoming just the sixth 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs, but Butler made history with his 42-point performance. 

Scoring 56 points in Game 4 and then 42 points in Game 5 on Wednesday night, Jimmy Butler became just the seventh player in NBA history to record at least 95 points in a two-game span in the playoffs, joining the likes of Michael Jordan (8 spans, high of 112 points), Jerry West (3 spans, high of 101 points), Elgin Baylor (2 spans, high of 99 points), Kevin Durant (95 points, 2019), Rick Barry (98 points, 1967) and Wilt Chamberlain (95 points, 1960).

Jimmy Butler (98 points) is the 7th player in NBA history to record 95+ points in a 2-Game span in the Playoffs. He joins:

Michael Jordan (8 spans, high of 112 points)
Jerry West (3 Spans, high of 101 points)
Elgin Baylor (2 Spans, high of 99 points)
Kevin Durant (95 points,… pic.twitter.com/KeonhIKY0N

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 27, 2023

This is a crazy list of legends that Butler has added his name to and this recent stretch for the Heat All-Star is not a fluke, as Jimmy Butler constantly elevates his play come time for the playoffs. 

He did so in the 2020 NBA Bubble when he carried Miami to the NBA Finals and Butler did so last year, as he took the Heat back to the Eastern Conference Finals and on the verge of making it to the NBA Finals.

They may be the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference, but in the playoffs, regular season record means absolutely nothing. 

Every team starts every series 0-0 overall and all that matters is being the better team over a four to seven games stretch. Jimmy Butler understands this, which is why he saves his best basketball for the postseason!

The Miami Heat have advanced past the first-round of the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons and they will now face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Should they beat the Knicks, Butler and the Heat will be back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season and the third time in the last four seasons.