In a thrilling conclusion to the play-in tournament, the Golden State Warriors secured a hard-fought victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, triumphing 121-116 at Chase Center. Stephen Curry sparked excitement among fans as he scored 37 points, while teammate Jimmy Butler impressed with an outstanding 38-point performance, marking his peak game in a Warriors uniform.
“It’s just a relief that there’s something we’re looking forward to now,” stated Curry following the game.
Victory Secures Playoff Position
This win was particularly significant for the Warriors, representing their first success in four attempts during the play-in games this season. After a challenging two-month stretch, they now enter the playoffs seeded seventh and will face the second-seeded Houston Rockets in the upcoming series.
Coaching Insights
Head Coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of this victory: “We had to win this game and get four days off. Our peers have basically played knockout games for about three weeks.” He expressed satisfaction that the team achieved their goal after an exhausting regular season.
Historical Context Against the Rockets
The Warriors’ playoff matchup with the Rockets is well-charted territory, being the fifth time the two franchises have met in postseason play. Golden State holds an advantageous record, having won all four previous series encounters from 2015 to 2019, including two critical Western Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018.
Players’ Perspectives
Regular Season Recap
During the regular season, the Warriors faced the Rockets five times, finishing the series with a close 3-2 record. Houston managed to edge out Golden State in a tight 91-90 game on December 11, and another battle on April 6 resulted in a significant win for the Rockets, as they aggressively outplayed the Warriors, who were fatigued after a busy schedule.
Butler’s Impact and Upcoming Challenge
Since joining the Warriors, Butler has elevated his game markedly, scoring a total of 68 points in the last two high-stakes contests, demonstrating his readiness for playoff competition. He helped the Warriors build a 20-point lead against the Grizzlies, before the team faced a comeback effort from Memphis.
Curry shone in the closing moments of the game, contributing 15 points in the final 7:02, including two crucial three-pointers within the last two minutes.
Reflections on Playoff Aspirations
The Warriors were previously 0-3 in play-in game scenarios before Tuesday’s win, a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the league. “It’s just a reminder that it’s not guaranteed,” remarked Curry about the challenges in securing a playoff spot. “We have been talking about how important it is to play meaningful games for the past two months, and now we have that chance.”
Looking Ahead
As the Warriors prepare for Game 1 against the Rockets, set to commence Sunday, Butler’s integration into the squad appears pivotal. “I told them I could help them before I got here,” he stated optimistically. “I feel that we can certainly give any team a challenge and a chance to win. They believe it. I believe it.”
With the first playoff game on the horizon, anticipation builds as Golden State aims to leverage their experience and determination against a resilient Rockets team.
