In an exhilarating matchup on Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors clinched the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 during the play-in tournament. Star player Jimmy Butler III showcased his playoff prowess, scoring an impressive 38 points, complemented by seven rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry contributed significantly with 37 points, ensuring the Warriors' advancement to the postseason.
Known for his ability to perform under pressure, Playoff Jimmy demonstrated his skills on both ends of the court, alleviating some of the burden on Curry. With just 1:50 remaining in the game, Curry nailed a crucial baseline three-pointer, followed by another shot from the left wing a minute later, helping to solidify their lead. The Warriors are now set to face the Houston Rockets in a best-of-seven first-round series, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in Houston.
With only 5.4 seconds left in the game, Curry sealed the victory with a pair of free throws, leaving the Grizzlies with a last-ditch opportunity. However, Santi Aldama was unable to inbound the ball before a five-second violation, ending Memphis's chances. For the Grizzlies, Desmond Bane led the charge with 30 points, while Ja Morant added 22 points, setting the stage for a home game against the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday night in Sacramento.
As the Grizzlies gained momentum midway through the third quarter, Butler reclaimed control with a pivotal steal and subsequent dunk. Shooting 12-for-20, he recorded his second consecutive 30-point performance and achieved his highest score since joining the Warriors at the trade deadline. Notably, Butler converted 12 of 18 free throws, maintaining an impressive free-throw percentage of 63-of-68 over the last eight games in April.
In a concerning moment for the Grizzlies, Morant suffered a hard fall, rolling his right ankle after stepping on Buddy Hield's foot. Despite the injury, he managed to complete a three-point play, bringing the Grizzlies within one point at 82-81. Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 18 points, and Zach Edey added 14 points along with 17 rebounds, converting two crucial free throws with 14.3 seconds left on the clock.
Curry, who had previously torched the Grizzlies for 52 points in a 134-125 victory on April 1, faced intense defensive pressure this time around, especially from Scotty Pippen Jr., who eventually fouled out late in the game. Despite these challenges, Curry recorded eight rebounds and four assists while shooting 9-for-22. The Warriors had hoped to avoid the play-in game after a tough overtime loss to the Clippers in their regular-season finale, marking their third home defeat within the last week.
As the Golden State Warriors gear up for their playoff journey, fans are eager to see how Butler and Curry will continue to shine on the big stage. The upcoming series against the Houston Rockets promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for a chance to advance further in the playoffs.
