Jimmy Butler’s performance is a gut punch for Timberwolves fans

There are a few former Minnesota Timberwolves competing in this year’s NBA Playoffs. D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley are all contributing for the Lakers as they look to upset an injured Memphis team.

But no doubt the most notable Timberwolves alum still in the playoffs is Jimmy Butler. Showing out for the Miami Heat once again, Butler helped lead the team from South Beach to a massive win on Monday night against the Bucks to put the top-seeded Milwaukee down 3-1 in the series.

In what turned out to be one of the greatest scoring performances in NBA Playoff history, Jimmy Butler dropped 56 points on 19-for-28 shooting, with just three made three-pointers. His unbelievable night ranked as the fourth-highest scoring output in NBA postseason history, and the Heat’s win put the Bucks one loss away from elimination.

Jimmy Butler’s recent playoff dominance has to be frustrating for Timberwolves fans.

This all-time great playoff performance for Jimmy Butler comes after he looked like one of the best players in the league last year in the postseason. Leading Miami to the Eastern Conference Finals and coming one three-pointer shy of a second Finals appearance in three years, Jimmy’s elevated performance in the playoffs has become the stuff of legend.

Of course, Timberwolves fans are probably left wondering where all this magic was when Butler was playing for Minnesota. While with the Wolves in the 2018 playoffs, Jimmy averaged just 15.8 points and shot just 44% from the floor in a first-round exit.

Since then, Butler has more often than not looked like one of the best playoff performers in the NBA, which is a real gut punch to Timberwolves fans. With Jimmy routinely ducking regular season matchups against Minnesota since his departure from the franchise, it is no wonder the Wolves faithful takes great delight in booing him with every chance they get.