Minnesota Timberwolves: 2017-18 player grades for Jimmy Butler

Highlights

Of course we talked about the game in which the Wolves won against the Nuggets in order to make the playoffs. A quick reminder, Butler finished that game with a 31-5-5 stat line.

The only game the Wolves won in the playoffs was in Game 3. I had the privilege to see that game in person, and you could feel all of the pain and agony wiping away after 14 years. Butler played a key role in defeating the Rockets with an impressive 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

It was a good shooting night for him as well, executing a nice 52.6 percent from the field on 10-of-19 shooting and 4-of-6 from 3. Butler was providing good defense and offense — an all-around game if you will, and something that needs to be done if you want to beat the Rockets.

One of his biggest games was another game against the Denver Nuggets. This game went into overtime and Butler scored practically every single point in an overtime victory. In that contest, he finished with 39 points, five assists and four rebounds. More importantly he helped pave the way for a win on a night where they lost Jeff Teague late in the game to an injury.