"They said he washed" - Heat fans hype Jimmy Butler after forward leads Miami to OT win vs Luka Doncic-less Mavs
Jimmy Butler dropped his second straight 30-point game on Sunday in the Miami Heat's overtime win over the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks. Heat fans were hyped to see Butler back at his best after a slow start to the season and some people claiming he was past his prime.
Butler finished the 123-118 OT win with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks. He shot 11-for-17 from the field and 11-for-16 from the free throw line. He outdueled Kyrie Irving, who had 27 points, four rebounds and six assists for the Mavericks.
Miami improved to 7-7 for the season and climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. They have won two in a row at home and will welcome the red-hot Milwaukee Bucks at Kaseya Center next on Tuesday night.
Miami Heat fans were pumped to see Jimmy Butler healthy and doing his thing. Butler registered back-to-back 30-point games for the first time since returning on Nov. 18 from a sprained ankle.
"They said he washed come outside," a fan wrote.
"Jimmy revenge tour has started," one fan claimed.
"Could've had 40 if he didn't miss all those free throws," another one commented.
Jimmy Butler entered the season with uncertainty given that he was looking for an extension. Butler has a player option for next season, so his name was in the rumor mill in the offseason.
"Safe to say his ankle healed with that week off," a fan replied.
"With as bad as the East is, the Heat have enough talent to have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs if everyone is healthy and they get the right matchups," one fan remarked.
"What team is he gonna be on next year?" another fan asked.
Butler has only played nine games so far this season, averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals. It's his lowest scoring average since his third year in the league during the 2013-14 season.
Joel Embiid wanted Jimmy Butler instead of Paul George
Less than a week after Joel Embiid praised Jimmy Butler, an NBA insider reported that the 2022-23 MVP wanted his former teammate back in Philly. Vince Goodwill revealed on his "Good Word With Goodwill" podcast that Embiid preferred teaming up with Butler over Paul George.
"He wanted the 76ers, with all the changes they made," Goodwill said, according to Sports Illustrated. "He wanted another player from the Miami Heat. He wanted Jimmy Butler. He told them, 'Go get my guy.'"
Embiid and Butler played together during the 2018-19 season before the latter left in free agency. The Sixers are off to a horrendous start and could be looking for ways to improve their flawed roster.