When the Golden State Warriors needed their star duo the most, Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry delivered.
Butler tallied a team-high 38 points, Curry added 36, and Golden State returned to the playoffs via 121-116 gritty over the Memphis Grizzlies to secure the West no. 7 seed, Wednesday, April 16.
WARRRRIORSSSSS
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 16, 2025
With their first play-in victory now in the books, Golden State arranged a West first-round warfare with the second-ranked Houston Rockets.
Win. GOT IN.
— ESPN (@espn) April 16, 2025
The Golden State Warriors will face Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs 🍿
The 35-year-old came out blazing hot, firing 21 first-half points as Warriors led by as many as 20 points and built a 67-55 halftime lead.
JIMMY BUTLER WANTS WEST #7 SEED 💪
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2025
21 points.
4 assists.
Warriors lead 67-55 at the break... Winner moves on to face the Rockets!
But the Grizzlies came storming back in the second half before Curry churned in 16 markers in the fourth frame, including Golden State's final 10 points. It also marked a fourth Warrior playoff appearance in the last five seasons, and 10th overall in the last 13 years.
STEPHEN CURRY.
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2025
AGAIN.
WARRIORS UP 6 WITH A MINUTE LEFT 🚨 https://t.co/Rz8QHAWMiy
On the other hand, Desmond Bayne netted 30 points for Memphis. Ja Morant, who rolled his ankle in the 4:25th mark of the third frame but returned in the fourth, added 22.
The Grizzlies still have one final chance to qualify for the playoffs, hosting the winner of the Sacramento Kings-Dallas Mavericks duel.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
