Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: 'Playoff Jimmy' activated for play-in game

By Sean Keane | Last updated 4/17/24

Jimmy Butler is a different player in the postseason. “Playoff Jimmy” excelled in the play-in game early.

Stolen by Butler!

Jimmy Butler slams it off the steal on ESPN pic.twitter.com/lEb1EV6VU2
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2024

Butler picked up a steal and took it in for a dunk in the first quarter. A minute later, he did it again.

ANOTHER STEAL BY JIMMY BUTLER.

Heat trail Sixers in the 1st quarter of #SoFiPlayIn action! https://t.co/3T1f9YNEuT pic.twitter.com/Re2clwveXk
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2024

Miami got off to a slow start, scoring only two points in the first 5:32 of their play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Then Butler got two free throws, got two steals and two dunks and dished assists to Tyler Herro and Jaime Jacquez Jr.

But in the final seconds of the quarter, Butler went down clutching his knee after Kelly Oubre Jr. fouled him after biting on a shot fake.

Jimmy Butler is down in a lot of pain…Hope he is OK.

pic.twitter.com/WehBwMT3Al
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 17, 2024

Butler stayed in to split the free throw, to the relief of his team. Injuries might be the only way to stop Butler once the calendar turns to April and May.

More must-reads: