Warriors Surge Past Grizzlies for Play-In Success
The Warriors have carved out another chapter in their playoff legacy, outlasting the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in a high-stakes Play-In Tournament battle. This win on April 15, 2025, cements Golden State as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, and sets up a first-round showdown with the Houston Rockets. There was no shortage of drama as every possession in the final minutes felt like it could sway a season. All eyes were on Jimmy Butler, who put on a show that screamed 'big game.'
Butler played like a man possessed, tallying 38 points—his highest since joining Golden State during the trade deadline frenzy. But it wasn’t just his scoring that stood out. Butler grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and had a knack for showing up when it truly mattered. Midway through the third quarter, with the Grizzlies sniffing a comeback, Butler stole a lazy Memphis pass and hammered home a dunk that reignited Golden State’s fire. From that moment, the Warriors found another gear.
Stephen Curry made sure to match Butler’s intensity. He poured in 37 points, but the highlight reel grew longer in the final five minutes. With defenders glued to his every move and Scotty Pippen Jr. shadowing him relentlessly, Curry managed to bury a baseline three-pointer and followed it with another dagger from the left wing. When the game turned into a free throw contest in the dying seconds, Curry stepped up and coolly knocked down all four. The combination of Butler’s slashing and Curry’s shot-making left Memphis grasping for answers.
Grit and Guts on Both Sides
Memphis didn’t go quietly. Desmond Bane shouldered the scoring load, racking up 30 points on a mix of outside shooting and determined drives. Ja Morant, a constant threat, put up 22 points despite a scary moment in the third quarter when he twisted his right ankle. Morant limped to the locker room, spent a few tense minutes on the bench, then checked back in to create a highlight: muscling through contact for a three-point play that kept Memphis close. Zach Edey battled in the paint, pulling down 17 rebounds and adding 14 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. punched in 18 more.
But Memphis just couldn’t keep the Warriors' tandem of Butler and Curry at bay. The Grizzlies tried every defensive wrinkle, from pressing Curry with aggressive double teams to crowding Butler’s driving lanes. Still, Golden State found answers. Butler seemed to feast on physical play, shrugging off fouls to finish at the rim or whip the ball to open teammates. Curry, meanwhile, thrived in chaos, relishing those clutch-time moments he’s built his career on.
For Warriors coach Steve Kerr, this victory is especially sweet. The team endured its share of ups and downs, with an uneven regular season and recent Play-In heartbreak still fresh in memory. As Kerr put it, "It took 83 games, but we’re right where we want to be." The win brings redemption and sets up a fresh postseason narrative, one full of intrigue as Golden State collides with a rising Houston Rockets squad on Sunday.
Memphis will try to regroup and salvage their season with one more shot. They’ll host the winner of the Mavericks-Kings clash later this week, with the coveted No. 8 seed on the line. The pressure is only mounting, and for now, the Warriors breathe a little easier, led by a red-hot Jimmy Butler and the ever-unstoppable Stephen Curry.
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