In the end, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers was eliminated from the playoffs by his close friend, Jimmy Butler.
Butler’s Miami Heat put the 76ers away on Thursday night, securing a needed 99-90 win in Game 6 and ending the 76ers’ long, up-and-down season.
Following the game, Butler had nothing but wonderful words for his old teammate.
Jimmy Butler just said he wishes he was still on Joel Embiid’s team and he loves him. Wow.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 13, 2022
Speaking of Embiid, Butler said how proud he was of Embiid and even admitted that he wishes he was still playing with the big man.
However, Butler did add how much he loved his new team, the Heat.
Yet, there were more than a few 76ers fans who felt the sting of regret last night as they watched the former 76er move onto the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bye Bye, Butler
Some people forget that Butler played for the 76ers for the 2018-19 season.
During that time, he grew incredibly close with Embiid, and even after he was sent to the Heat, the two stayed buddies.
Butler knows Embiid’s worth and potential better than most other players in the league and is still celebrating him even though they are now opponents.
He must also know just how hard it is for Embiid right now.
After coming in third for MVP for the second year in a row, Embiid has once again been eliminated from the playoffs far earlier than he wanted.
He has desired a place in the Finals ever since he entered the NBA and continually comes up short.
It’s not for lack of trying though – Embiid has been giving it his all, especially this year.
It’s nice to see Butler rooting on his old pal but it’s also bittersweet for Embiid and his team.
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