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4 days Ago By Gilbert McGregor
A year ago, Jimmy Butler insisted that "Playoff Jimmy" isn't a thing. But maybe "Play-In Jimmy" is. Just two years removed from leading the Heat from the Play-In Tournament to the NBA Finals, Butler was back to his ways during the first half of his postseason debut with the Warriors .
The impact he made was nearly immediate. Butler's performance was all the more impressive when considering he was hobbled near the end of Golden State's regular-season finale on Sunday. He assured reporters he would be ready to go for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament, and his performance backed those words.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here's some of the best from just the first half of Butler's showing. Jimmy Butler stats today vs. Grizzlies Butler really didn't waste much time in the 7-vs-8 Play-In Tournament game.
After Golden State fell into a quick nine-point hole, Butler was the driving force behind his team's turnaround. Here are his first half numbers: 21 points 7-12 FG 2-3 3FG 5-8 FTs 4 rebounds 4 assists 1 steal JIMMY BUTLER WANTS WEST #7 SEED 💪 21 points. 4 assists.
Warriors lead 67-55 at the break...
Winner moves on to face the Rockets! pic.twitter.com/7nP9nLGxh3 He scored 10 points (on 3-of-4 shooting), pulled down two rebounds and dished out two assists in the first quarter.
The Warriors went from down nine early on to up by six at the end of the first frame. NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket Butler did even more of the same in the second quarter, bringing his first-half total to over 20 points well before the halftime buzzer sounded. The six-time All-Star showed a different level of assertiveness in the way he looked for his spots and created for both himself and others.
His finishes through contact were particularly impactful as they sent the Chase Center crowd into a frenzy. Get LOUD, Dub Nation pic.twitter.
com/5KzOyKA5tk Butler's fire ignited the Warriors, who doubled their first-quarter lead to take a 12-point advantage into the break. If Butler and his team can hold on, they'll head to his hometown to face the 2-seed Rockets in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, April 20..
