Arms draped over each other in a postgame embrace, Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler walked off the court with the job done. A gritty, hard-fought 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night in the NBA Play-In Tournament sent the Golden State Warriors into the playoffs — and proved once again that “Playoff Jimmy” lives for moments like these.
Butler delivered a masterclass in poise and production, scoring 38 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists as the Warriors secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Curry, relieved of his usual scoring burden thanks to Butler’s brilliance, still poured in 37 points, including the clutch dagger shots that put the game away.
Golden State now advances to face the Houston Rockets in a best-of-seven first-round series, beginning Sunday in Houston.
“This is what I came here for,” Butler said postgame. “To win big games, make plays, and take pressure off a guy like Steph. We’ve got work to do.”
Butler’s fingerprints were all over this one. Midway through the third quarter, with the Grizzlies surging, Butler swung momentum with a timely steal and emphatic dunk. He shot 12-of-20 from the field and earned 18 trips to the free-throw line, converting 12. He’s now scored 30+ in back-to-back games, capping a scorching April that’s seen him hit 75 of 86 free throws.
Curry, battling constant pressure from Memphis guard Scotty Pippen Jr. before Pippen fouled out, added eight rebounds and four assists. He hit a baseline three-pointer with 1:50 remaining, followed by a clutch bomb from the wing with a minute left, and calmly drained four free throws in the closing five seconds.
It was the kind of closing sequence that’s defined Curry’s career — but it was Butler who took the spotlight early and set the tone.
The Grizzlies, led by Desmond Bane’s 30 points and Ja Morant’s 22, made it anything but easy. Morant gave Memphis life in the third quarter after rolling his right ankle stepping on Buddy Hield’s foot, only to convert a three-point play to pull the Grizzlies within 82-81.
But down the stretch, Golden State had too many answers. Even when Zach Edey — the 7-foot-4 rookie — knocked down two free throws with 14.3 seconds left and finished with 14 points and 17 rebounds, Memphis still needed a miracle. After Curry’s free throws with 5.4 seconds left, Santi Aldama couldn’t get the ball inbounded, committing a five-second violation and sealing Memphis’ fate.
The Warriors now shake off past Play-In woes — they had gone 0-3 in Play-In contests entering Tuesday — including a 2021 loss to these same Grizzlies at Chase Center. The sting of a regular-season finale loss to the Clippers in overtime that forced them into this win-or-go-home scenario is now forgotten.
For Memphis, the road isn’t over. They’ll host the winner of Wednesday night’s Mavericks-Kings showdown for the eighth seed and one final playoff lifeline.
For the Warriors, it’s a new chapter. And with Butler looking every bit like the star they hoped for when they acquired him at the deadline, Golden State is suddenly a dangerous out.
“We believe,” said Curry. “We’ve got Jimmy, we’ve got our core, and now we’ve got another chance to go make a run.”
