On day one of the 2025 NBA play-in tournament, the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies faced off in an epic showdown at the Crypto.com Arena. As two teams with identical records (48-34), the Warriors and Grizzlies are pretty evenly matched, and it set the stage for a highly competitive game to determine the 7th seed in the West.
After a solid start in the opening minutes, the Warriors went off for a game-high 36 points in the second quarter to expand their lead by 12 points going into halftime. The Warriors had all the momentum for a while until a third-quarter explosion from the Grizzlies put them back in control of the game. Despite a valiant comeback effort from Memphis, however, the Warriors came out on top by five to clinch the seventh seed (121-116).
Starting with the Warriors, Jimmy Butler led the team in scoring with 38 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game on 60% shooting. Stephen Curry wasn’t far behind with 37 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 40.9% shooting. At center, Draymond Green finished with four points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals on 20% shooting.
Desmond Bane led the way for Memphis with 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 52.4% shooting. Ja Morant tallied 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 50% shooting while Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 40% shooting.
It was far from the cleanest performance from the Warriors, but they got the job done tonight thanks to several key factors that decided the game. Going into their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors will be looking to carry this momentum and build quickly off the success they established in the second half of the season.
Playoff Jimmy Activated
Jimmy Butler has been known to elevate his game in the postseason, and it’s what made him such an interesting fit with the Miami Heat. Now, the Warriors are hoping that Butler can elevate his game enough to help carry them to the final stages of the Western playoff bracket.
Tonight, with Steph Curry struggling to hit shots early on, the Warriors looked to Butler to keep them afloat — and he answered the call. In 39 minutes, Butler put up 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals on 60.0% shooting.
Just like he did with the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler has saved his best for the playoffs, and it’s turned the Warriors into a lethal opponent this postseason. With Jimmy playing like this, life has become much easier for Curry on the court, who finally has another reliable scorer to depend on in the clutch.
Feasting At The Line
Officiating was a big area of complaint for Warriors fans tonight, especially toward the end, when several calls did not go their way. Overall, however, the Warriors won the free-throw battle, outshooting the Grizzlies by 28 points on 82.4% shooting.
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler alone attempted more free throws than the entire Grizzlies team combined, going 25-31. Since his arrival, Jimmy Butler has changed the entire offensive identity of the Warriors, and that includes their ability to get to the line off frequent drives to the rim.
Tonight, the free throws helped Golden State maintain its rhythm in the game and offset some early three-point shooting woes that would have set them behind. If this trend holds up through the rest of the playoffs, it will help keep the Warriors’ offense running at maximum efficiency.
Key Contributions From Veteran Frontcourt
Without a proper center, the Warriors have to rely on small ball this season, and it’s been a critical success in the Jimmy Butler era. While not the traditional center, Draymond Green made a massive impact in the game with his defense and playmaking on the perimeter, with 10 assists to just one turnover.
Off the bench, Quinten Post was tied with Green for a game-high +12, and his shooting gave them consistent points while spreading the floor. In 22 minutes, Post dropped 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal on 3-4 shooting from three.
In a competitive Western Conference with teams like the Nuggets, Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, and Timberwolves, the Warriors are going to need strong play from their bigs, and tonight was a good sign for how well they can hold up in the playoffs. As a 4x champion, Draymond Green has done it before, and the Warriors trust that he can make stops when they need it the most.
The Western Conference is a blood bath right now, and it’s unforgiving for any team that loses its focus down the stretch. With a playoff spot on the line, the Warriors knew they had to win tonight to avoid a potential elimination and a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
