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Jimmy Butler smiling and waving to MSG crowd should frighten Knicks fans

ByJordanna Clark|
May 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Miami Heat injured forward Jimmy Butler (22) talks to forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the second quarter of game two of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Miami Heat injured forward Jimmy Butler (22) talks to forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the second quarter of game two of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t pretty and it certainly wasn’t easy, but the New York Knicks did what they needed to do on Tuesday to tie the series at 1-1. The Heat were without Jimmy Butler, but Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin were playing like they had flashes of Butler in them.

Butler rolled his ankle with five minutes left to play on Sunday but stayed in the game. Erik Spoelstra said on Monday that Butler was receiving treatment around the clock to try to be ready for Game 2, but shortly before tip, he was ruled out. It was a smart move for the Heat to make with there being three full days in between Game 2 in New York and Game 3 in Miami. Now, Butler will have additional time to rest and should be ready to go on Saturday.

Toward the end of the Knicks’ 111-105 win, Butler was seen nodding and smiling to himself on the sideline before waving to the crowd at MSG. That isn’t abnormal behavior from an opposing player, but it seemed like Butler was giving Knicks fans a sign of what’s to come in Miami. He took too much pleasure in it.

Jimmy Butler smiles and waves to Knicks crowd at MSG at end of Game 2

There’s no denying that Playoff Jimmy is a real phenomenon. He was largely responsible for the Heat knocking off Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in the first round after Miami had to fight in the play-in tournament to get the No. 8 seed. In the six games that he’s played in during the postseason, he’s averaged 35.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

Butler led the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals last year and Miami was only one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons. Again, Playoff Jimmy is different.

Considering that the Knicks barely squeaked by a Heat team without Butler on their homecourt in Game 2, New York could be in for yet another rude awakening in Game 3 on the road. If Butler would’ve played on Tuesday, there’s no way that Miami wouldn’t have won.

It’s time for the Knicks to rest up. If they take the court at American Airlines Arena looking anything like they did in Games 1 and 2, Jimmy Butler is going to feast.

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