In an electrifying finish that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Golden State Warriors sealed their playoff destiny with a hard-fought 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA’s play-in tournament. It was a night full of dramatic momentum shifts, clutch performances, and unexpected turns, but in the end, it was Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler who proved too much for Memphis to handle.
A High-Stakes Battle at Chase Center
The game, held at the Warriors’ Chase Center in San Francisco, started off with a strong push from the Grizzlies. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were on fire early, leading Memphis to an early lead. However, Golden State quickly found its rhythm, going on a 29-7 run that saw them surge from a nine-point deficit to a commanding 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter.
But it was the Warriors’ star duo—Stephen Curry and newly-acquired Jimmy Butler—who stole the show. Curry, a known playoff performer, wasn’t going to be outdone, scoring 15 points in the first half. Butler, the trade-deadline acquisition, exploded for 21 first-half points, giving the Warriors a 20-point cushion at one point during the second quarter.
Grizzlies’ Resilience in the Face of Adversity
But Memphis wasn’t about to back down. In a twist of fate, the Grizzlies faced a major setback midway through the third quarter when Ja Morant—who had been scorching hot—rolled his ankle after coming down awkwardly on Warriors guard Buddy Hield’s foot. Morant was forced to leave the game after hitting a pivotal and-one play, which had brought Memphis to within a point of the Warriors.
Despite losing their star player, Memphis continued to fight back. The Grizzlies tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a Desmond Bane three-pointer and even took a brief lead thanks to a fast-break layup from John Konchar. As the crowd held its breath, Morant made a quick return to the court after a brief stint on the bench, still limping but determined. His resilience was evident as he hit a mid-range jumper to tie the game at 98—proving that the Grizzlies were far from finished.
Clutch Performances Under Pressure
With the game hanging in the balance, it was Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry who would not let the Warriors lose. Butler hit a crucial jumper, followed by back-to-back three-pointers from Curry, giving the Warriors a six-point lead with just one minute remaining. Yet, Memphis found new life, cutting the deficit to a single point after two controversial foul calls.
That’s when head coach Steve Kerr’s decision-making came into play. He wisely put the ball in Curry’s hands, knowing that the sharpshooter was one of the most reliable free throw shooters in NBA history. Curry made both free throws, extending the Warriors’ lead back to three points.
Grizzlies’ Last-Ditch Effort Falls Short
With 14 seconds left, Memphis had one final chance. They advanced the ball up the court with a timeout, but disaster struck when forward Santi Aldama failed to find anyone to inbound the ball to, committing a crucial 5-second violation. The Warriors capitalized, and a couple more free throws from Curry, who was a perfect 13 of 13 from the charity stripe, sealed the win for Golden State.
Butler finished with a game-high 38 points, the most he’s scored since joining the Warriors, while Curry chipped in with 37 points, solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s most clutch performers. For Memphis, Bane led the way with 30 points, while Morant, despite his injury, scored 22 points.
Warriors’ Playoff Road Ahead
With the victory, the Warriors claimed the Western Conference 7th seed and will now head to Houston to face the second-seeded Rockets in a best-of-seven first-round series. It’s a challenging road ahead, but with Curry and Butler leading the charge, Golden State is poised to make a deep playoff run.
Memphis’ Last Shot at Playoff Glory
For Memphis, the road to the playoffs is not over. The Grizzlies now have one more chance to secure a postseason berth with a do-or-die game at home against the winner of Wednesday’s play-in matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. Should Memphis emerge victorious, they will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round starting Sunday.
Orlando Magic Clinch Playoff Spot with Dominant Win Over Hawks
Earlier in the evening, the Orlando Magic also secured their playoff ticket, dominating the Atlanta Hawks 120-95. Behind a standout performance from Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points off the bench, Orlando claimed the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will now face the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in the first round.
Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Paolo Banchero chipped in with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Orlando led by as many as 22 points in the first half, but the Hawks mounted a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the lead to just three. However, Orlando took control in the fourth, outscoring Atlanta 41-22.
Trae Young Ejected as Hawks Fall Short
Despite a game-high 28 points from Trae Young, the Hawks’ efforts were hampered when Young was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up two quick technical fouls. The Hawks’ playoff hopes now hinge on their Friday matchup with the winner of the Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls play-in game, where they’ll battle for the final playoff spot in the East.
For Orlando, their challenge now lies in facing the second-seeded Celtics, a team they have a 2-1 record against this season. The Magic will look to keep their momentum rolling as they head to TD Garden for their first-round matchup, while the Hawks still have a chance to keep their season alive with one final shot on Friday.
Both the Warriors and Magic have earned their place in the NBA playoffs, and as the postseason approaches, it promises to be an exciting, unpredictable ride filled with intense matchups and unforgettable moments.