Jimmy Butler Claims Boston Celtics, New York Knicks Would Have Lost To Miami Heat If He Was Healthy

Unfortunately, they went up against a Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets team that just took care of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. And while they lost the chance to win their first ring since James last played for the franchise, there was still hope Miami can contend again the following season.

After going through the regular season and entering the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament again, the Heat found themselves facing the Boston Celtics, the best team in the NBA. Unfortunately, Miami was without Butler due to an MCL injury in his right knee. Without him in the lineup, the Celtics disposed of them in five games to advance to the next round.

Jimmy Butler Says Miami Heat Would Have Won Against Boston Celtics and New York Knicks If He Was Healthy

With the Heat out of contention , the Celtics are slated to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. But if Butler is to be believed, Miami could have been in Boston’s place, or even could have sent the New York Knicks home. In a post Beady Hawk shared on X:

Jimmy Butler: “If I was playing, Boston would be at home. New York would damn sure be at home,” Hawk tweeted.

While Butler’s claim about beating Boston is understandable, including the Knicks doesn’t make sense since there’s no chance the Heat will face them in the playoffs. Even if that’s the case, his argument in beating those two teams won’t be known in the foreseeable future.

With the offseason now in full swing for Miami, they may be exploring the option to trade Butler. If that happens, there’ll be no way to prove his claim of beating Boston or New York in a playoff series.