(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat have always found ways to win games despite missing players, but unfortunately head coach Erik Spoelstra couldn’t work his magic as the team was bounced from the 2024 NBA playoffs in five games by the Boston Celtics.
Miami managed to steal Game 2 on the road, but subsequently dropped the next three games after Boston regrouped and dominated both sides of the ball.
The Heat were shorthanded as Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the series after suffering a meniscus injury in the team’s Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Not having Butler in a series against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown was basically a death sentence for Miami given he’s one of the few two-way wings in the NBA that can hang with the duo.
It was clear how much the Heat missed Butler on the floor and the star veteran made a bold claim about the team’s fortunes had he been healthy, via Courtside Buzz.
Jimmy Butler says that, if he was healthy through the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Miami Heat would’ve beat both New York & Boston:
“If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York, damn sure would be at fu**ing home. Fu** that mean to me? Josh Hart? Cmon man.”
Jimmy also says… pic.twitter.com/A47Da48VSa
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) May 4, 2024
Butler shows absolute confidence in himself and his teammates, though even the most diehard Heat fan might have some qualms about his statement because the Celtics had more than enough talent to overcome him.
Butler also notes that the New York Knicks would’ve been sent home because he and Miami would’ve beaten Philadelphia if he didn’t get hurt.
For now, Butler will need to stew on this loss and hope he can bounce back next year.
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