Five NBA players with 45+ points and zero turnovers in a playoff game

On Tuesday, the Miami Heat took a two games to none lead in the Eastern Conference first round series against the Atlanta Hawks with a 115-105 victory. With the win, the Heat now have a 92.4% chance of knocking out the Heat and moving to round two. But why was this particular game so special? Well it was because of the superb play of Miami swingman Jimmy Butler of Houston, Texas. Butler had 45 points and zero turnovers. It should be noted that Butler’s 45 point, zero turnover statline came one day after Jalen Brunson had 41 points and zero turnovers for the Dallas Mavericks in their 110-104 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. 

Butler became only the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 45 points and have zero turnovers in a postseason game according to ESPN. Let’s take a look at the other four players to achieve that mark.

1) Dominique Wilkins–Atlanta Hawks

In game seven of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals, Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks had 47 points and zero turnovers. Atlanta lost the game however 118-116, and lost the series four games to three.

2) Paul Pierce–Boston Celtics

On May 3, 2002, Celtics swingman Paul Pierce of Oakland, California had 46 points and zero rebounds in a 120-87 Boston win over the Philadelphia 76ers in game five of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. With the win, the Celtics won the series four games to one.

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3) Kevin Durant–Golden State Warriors

On May 4, 2019, Kevin Durant of Washington, D.C. had 46 points and zero turnovers for the Golden State Warriors. However just like Wilkins, Durant was unable to win the game, as the Warriors lost 126-121 to the Houston Rockets in game three of the Western Conference semifinals. Ironically, even though Durant had 46 points and zero turnovers, he was still a -6 in 49 minutes and 35 seconds while on the court.

4) Jamal Murray–Denver Nuggets

On August 23, 2020, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets had a monster game as he scored 50 points and 11 rebounds, to go along with zero turnovers. However the Canadian could not lead Denver to a win, as the Nuggets were beaten 129-127 by the Utah Jazz in game four of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Denver did win the series in seven games.

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