San Francisco – The Warriors are back in the postseason after earning their first-ever play-in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the same team that eliminated them twice in the play-in tournament, back in 2021 and 2023. Golden State punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 121-116 win, securing the 7th seed and setting up a first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Stephen Curry was phenomenal in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. After sinking back-to-back threes in clutch fashion, he sealed the win by knocking down all his free throws at the line. Memphis kept it close down the stretch, but sloppy play in the closing moments allowed the Warriors to create just enough separation to secure the lead and the victory.
Curry finished with 37 points and 8 rebounds, delivering a vintage performance when it mattered most. Curry has scored 30-plus points in three of his four-career Play-In Tournament games (37 tonight, 39 vs. Memphis – 2021 and 37 at Lakers – 2021). Jimmy Butler, the missing piece Golden State has needed to return to the playoffs since 2022, has proven to be a true asset on both ends. Butler poured in 38 points, along with 6 assists and 7 rebounds. He scored 21 points in the first half and was an integral part of the Warriors building an early 10-point lead. Butler’s 38 points are the most scored as a Warrior (prev. 30, 4/13 vs. LAC).
“Even if you’re not up, he knows how to draw fouls and what they get, 18 shots from the foul line, that’s just who Jimmy is he controls games,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on Butler. “That’s why he is who he is. He’s able to, in these big moments, these big games, he settles you down constantly.”
Despite fouling out, Draymond Green’s presence on the floor was undeniable, and it’s a big reason why he deserves serious consideration for another Defensive Player of the Year award. Green finished with 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, constantly creating chaos in a way that only he can. Though he went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, Green has shown time and again that he can knock them down when it counts. Tonight, he helped anchor the defense and played a crucial role in shutting down the Grizzlies to help the Warriors punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Golden State secured their first-ever win in the NBA Play-In Tournament, improving their all-time record to 1-3. The Warriors advanced to the playoffs for the 10th time in the last 13 seasons. This marked the fifth all-time playoff matchup between Golden State and the Houston Rockets, the Warriors are 4-0 in the previous four series.
The teams last met in the 2019 Semifinals, where Golden State won the series 4-2. The Warriors are 16-7 against the Rockets in the postseason, with an 11-1 record at home and 5-6 on the road.
“This is time. We lead up all year to get to this moment, Gary Payton II said. “You know, I’m more of a playoff guy, I think Steve would say.
So when it’s that time of the year, lock in and get it right and try to be as efficient as I can. I know how they are going to play me and who they are going to put on me. Try to, like you said, create seams and get to the openings.”
UP NEXT: The Warriors travel to Houston to face the Rockets in Game 1 of the First Round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, on Sunday, April 20 (6:30 p.m. PDT).
Photo by GSW/X
