Knicks: Jimmy Butler is ready to take page from Tom Thibodeau’s book
In true Tom Thibodeau fashion, the New York Knicks head coach played both Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes for all 48 minutes of Game 5’s 112-103 win. The move paid off for the Knicks as Brunson poured in a game-high 38 points and Grimes had his best game of the postseason, but with Game 6 being in Miami on Friday, fatigue could be even more of a factor for New York.
Similar to Brunson, Jimmy Butler has been dealing with an ankle injury of his own in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He sprained his ankle in Game 1 and missed Game 2. On Wednesday, Butler played in a team-high 43 minutes but he scored only 19 points (5-of-12) to go with seven rebounds and nine assists. He’s averaged 31.9 points in the postseason, so Game 5 was more of an off night for him as he was outplayed by Brunson.
To no surprise, Butler is feeling confident entering Game 6 back at Kaseya Center. He’s ready to pull a Brunson/Grimes and not leave the floor (subscription required).
"“If [coach Erik Spoelstra] tells me to play 48 minutes, I’ll be suited and booted and ready to do that,” Butler said. “And we’ll win.”"
Jimmy Butler is prepared to play 48 minutes in Game 6 against Knicks
If Jimmy Butler was still playing under Tom Thibodeau, the forward wouldn’t have to wonder if his coach was going to tell him to play 48 minutes or not. Instead, he’d know that it would be a given.
Butler averaged 43.6 minutes in Chicago’s 2014 first-round series against Washington thanks to Thibodeau. In the nine games that he’s played in during the 2023 postseason, Butler’s averaging 38.9 minutes. Erik Spoelstra has had to be wary about Butler’s time on the floor because of his ankle sprain, but if Thibodeau is going to do everything in his power to not take Brunson out of the game, Spoelstra may do the same with Butler in Game 6.
The Knicks have yet to win a game in Miami this series, but that could change on Friday. New York will once again have its backs against the wall, which only puts more pressure on the Heat. The last thing that Miami should want is to go back to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7. If what Jimmy Butler says is true, though, that won’t happen.
Let’s see what Jalen Brunson and the Knicks have left in their tank.
