No moment is too big for Tyler Herro.
The Miami Heat rookie etched himself into the history books with a blistering Game 4 performance, scoring a career-high 37 points off the bench to lead his team to a 112-109 win over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
TAKEAWAYS: Heat take 3-1 series lead with thrilling Game 4 win
Herro, who has been a consistent part of the Heat's closing lineups throughout the post-season, scored 17 of his 37 in the fourth quarter, with coach Erik Spoelstra showing a ton of faith in the 20-year-old in big moments.
"He has a great competitive humility about him," Spoelstra said post-game.
"He has a confidence. He has a fearlessness that is uncommon. But he's humble enough to work, to be coachable, to take the mentorship from the veteran players that we have on our team, and he just continues to gain more confidence as we go."
Herro's performance not only put the Heat one win away from the NBA Finals, but he wrote himself into the record books, breaking Dwyane Wade's franchise record for most points scored by a Heat rookie in a playoff game (27), per NBA Stats. He is also the youngest player in NBA history to score 30+ points off the bench in a playoff game, per StatMuse.
When you put yourself next to rookie Magic Johnson, you know you're doing something right.
His 37 points are the second-most ever scored by a player aged 20 or younger in a playoff game, behind Magic's 42 points in 1980.
Tyler Herro's 37 points tonight were the second-most a player Age 20 or younger has ever scored in an #NBAPlayoffs game.
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) September 24, 2020
Magic Johnson scored 42 on May 16, 1980. pic.twitter.com/ft9z7E5kJr
The No.13 pick in last year's draft has been the picture of consistency for the Heat throughout their playoff run, scoring in double figures in each of his first 13 playoff games, a feat only accomplished by two other rookies in NBA history — Elgin Baylor (1959) and Alvan Adams (1976), per NBA Stats.
Herro has piled up 214 points in his debut playoff campaign, which currently ranks second behind Manu Ginobili (2002-03) for most points off the bench by a rookie in a single playoff run, per StatMuse.
He needs just 13 points to surpass the Hall of Fame Spurs guard.
While his Game 4 performance might have come as a surprise for many, his Heat teammates have seen the writing on the wall throughout the entire season.
"Not too many people get an opportunity to make it this far in the playoffs and to be in a game like this," Heat star Jimmy Butler said.
"But for him, it's another day at the office. I think it makes all of us smile. We're all so happy for him because he knows what he's capable of, and he just plays with so much confidence. He's been doing it all year long. So to him, there's no pressure or anything. He's just going to keep playing basketball the right way."
Age of first 37+ pt playoff game
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) September 24, 2020
20 Tyler Herro
21 LeBron James
21 Luka Doncic
22 Kevin Durant
24 Carmelo Anthony
24 Giannis Antetokounmpo
25 Stephen Curry
25 Kawhi Leonard
via @Stathead
Herro shot an efficient 14-of-21 from the field and 5-of-10 from the 3-point line, adding six rebounds and three assists in the win, putting his team on the brink of their first Finals appearance since 2014.
"I feel good about it," Herro said. "There's a lot of work to be done still. We're up 3-1."
The Heat will look to secure their spot in the Finals with a win in Game 5, which tips off Saturday, September 26th at 6:00 a.m. IST.
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