Warriors Outlast Grizzlies in Play-In Thriller
Before the 2025 NBA Playoffs officially get underway, the intensity is already ramping up in the league’s play-in tournament. With eight teams vying for the final postseason spots, Tuesday night delivered two very different matchups: a blowout win for the Magic and a dramatic finish in San Francisco.
Warriors 121, Grizzlies 116 – Curry and Butler Seal the Deal
The Golden State Warriors appeared to be cruising to an easy victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, jumping out to a 20-point lead. But the game quickly turned into a battle as Memphis stormed back in the third quarter, setting up a tense finish.
In the end, it was the Warriors’ superstar duo that made the difference. Jimmy Butler, acquired at the trade deadline, exploded for 38 points—most of them in a dominant first half. Stephen Curry, meanwhile, took over late, dropping 37 points and hitting a pair of clutch three-pointers to ice the game in the final minute.
Memphis didn’t go down without a fight. Despite Ja Morant briefly exiting after rolling his ankle late in the third quarter, he returned in the fourth and helped the Grizzlies briefly take the lead. But Curry’s late-game heroics proved too much to overcome.
“That’s a Batman if I’ve ever seen a Batman,” Butler said in a postgame interview with TNT. “He’s always there to save the day. So poised. So calm.”
With 5.4 seconds left and down by three, the Grizzlies had one last chance to tie the game. But a five-second violation on the inbound pass ended their hopes. Memphis will now host the loser of the Kings vs. Mavericks matchup in a final shot at making the playoffs.
The Warriors move on to face the second-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
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This article is about the Golden State Warriors’ thrilling 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025 NBA play-in tournament, highlighted by clutch performances from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. It also touches on the broader play-in picture and what’s next for both teams.
