The Boston Celtics easily defeated the Miami Heat in a first-round rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals from the previous season, completing their rivalry series in five games.

Following their team’s second-round exit from Miami, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown talked about the importance of defeating Miami and highlighted the Celtics’ development.

Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined for the series because of an MCL sprain, had an other interpretation of events.

In an interview with Rock The Bells, the six-time All-Star stated, “Boston would be at home if I was playing.”

Butler’s future with the Heat remains undetermined, while the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they will now know they will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a series that begins on Tuesday at TD Garden.

Retired ESPN and Miami Herald sportswriter Dan Le Batard, a well-known figure in South Florida sports media, even went so far as to declare that the Eastern Conference champs’ title window was closed with Butler as their greatest player.

He said, “The Celtics just ended the Heat as we know them,” on Stugotz and Dan Le Batard’s show.

Maybe what he said was prophetic.

The five-time All-NBA selection has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025–2026 season in addition to one year remaining on his deal. Butler, who will turn 35 in September, is allegedly asking for a $113 million deal, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

But the solution, according to David Aldridge of The Athletic, would be for Butler and the Heat to split up. Aldridge even hinted that Butler might return to the Philadelphia 76ers to play alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.