Grizzlies vs Warriors: A Thrilling Play-In Tournament Clash
Match Details
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Date: April 15, 2025
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Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
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Time: 10:00 PM ET
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Attendance: 18,064
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Broadcast: TNT
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Streaming: Max, DirecTV
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Officials: Bill Kennedy, Josh Tiven, Nick Buchert
Game Summary
The Warriors set the tone early, taking a 31-25 lead after the first quarter, driven by sharp shooting from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. They extended their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 36-30 to lead 67-55 at halftime. The Grizzlies, however, mounted a fierce comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 36-27 to close the gap to 94-91. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets. A crucial steal and dunk by Butler in the third quarter shifted momentum, and Curry’s free throws with 5.4 seconds left sealed the 121-116 victory for the Warriors after a five-second violation by the Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama on the final inbound attempt (CBS Sports Recap).
Score by Quarter
|
Team |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MEM |
25 | 30 | 36 | 25 | 116 |
|
GSW |
31 | 36 | 27 | 27 | 121 |
Team Performance
The Warriors finished the regular season with a 48-34 record, securing the 7th seed but needing this win to advance to the playoffs. Despite a recent 124-119 overtime loss to the LA Clippers, they showed resilience, going 3-1 against the Grizzlies during the season, with wins by 5, 8, and 9 points. The Grizzlies, also 48-34, faced challenges after firing coach Taylor Jenkins mid-season, going 4-5 under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. Their recent 132-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks highlighted their potential, but they couldn’t overcome the Warriors’ offensive firepower (NBA.com Game Summary).
Key Statistics
|
Statistic |
Grizzlies |
Warriors |
|---|---|---|
|
Field Goal % |
48.8% | 45.9% |
|
3-Point % |
46.2% | 34.9% |
|
Free Throw % |
87.0% | 82.4% |
|
Rebounds |
50 | 39 |
|
Assists |
22 | 29 |
|
Steals |
4 | 13 |
|
Blocks |
1 | 3 |
|
Turnovers |
19 | 10 |
|
Points in Paint |
48 | 42 |
|
Fast Break Points |
11 | 11 |
|
Biggest Lead |
9 | 20 |
|
Bench Points |
23 | 30 |
Head-to-Head Record
The Warriors and Grizzlies have a competitive history, with 110 regular-season games played. The Warriors hold a slight edge with 58 wins to the Grizzlies’ 52. This season, the Warriors won three of four matchups, including a 134-125 victory on April 1, where Curry scored 52 points. However, the Grizzlies had a standout 144-93 win on December 19, setting a franchise record with 27 three-pointers (Land of Basketball).
|
Head-to-Head Stats |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Matches Played |
110 |
|
Warriors Wins |
58 |
|
Grizzlies Wins |
52 |
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Warriors vs. Grizzlies (2024-25 Season) |
3-1 (Warriors) |
Key Players
Golden State Warriors
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Jimmy Butler: Scored 38 points (12/20 FG, 2/4 3PT, 12/18 FT), with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. His steal and dunk in the third quarter were pivotal (CBS Sports Recap).
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Stephen Curry: Contributed 37 points (9/22 FG, 6/13 3PT, 13/13 FT), 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. His clutch free throws sealed the win (ESPN Box Score).
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Draymond Green: Recorded 10 assists and 3 steals, anchoring the defense (NBA.com Box Score).
Memphis Grizzlies
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Desmond Bane: Led with 30 points (11/21 FG, 5/8 3PT), 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, keeping the Grizzlies competitive (CBS Sports Recap).
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Ja Morant: Added 22 points (9/18 FG, 1/3 3PT), 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, driving the third-quarter comeback (ESPN Box Score).
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Jaren Jackson Jr.: Grabbed 17 rebounds (7 offensive), adding 14 points, showcasing his dominance on the boards.
Notable Events
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Momentum Shift: Butler’s steal and dunk in the third quarter halted the Grizzlies’ momentum during their comeback attempt.
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Clutch Moment: Curry’s free throws with 5.4 seconds left secured the win after Aldama’s five-second violation on the inbound (CBS Sports Recap).
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Season Context: The Warriors’ 3-1 record against the Grizzlies this season, including Curry’s 52-point performance on April 1, gave them confidence. The Grizzlies’ 144-93 win on December 19, with a franchise-record 27 three-pointers, showed their potential (NBA.com Game Summary).
Playoff Implications
The Warriors’ victory secures the 7th seed, setting up a first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, starting with Game 1 on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Houston. The Rockets will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the Warriors will host Games 3, 4, and 6 (Golden State Of Mind).
The Grizzlies, despite the loss, remain in contention for the 8th seed. They will host the winner of the Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks game on Friday, April 18, 2025, with the victor earning the final Western Conference playoff spot (CBS Sports Recap).
Player Statistics
Memphis Grizzlies
|
Player |
MIN |
PTS |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
+/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bane |
39:00 | 30 | 11-21 | 5-8 | 3-3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
|
Morant |
34:54 | 22 | 9-18 | 1-3 | 3-3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
|
Jackson Jr. |
32:34 | 14 | 4-11 | 0-0 | 6-8 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Golden State Warriors
|
Player |
MIN |
PTS |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
+/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Butler |
39:43 | 38 | 12-20 | 2-4 | 12-18 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|
Curry |
38:39 | 37 | 9-22 | 6-13 | 13-13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Green |
30:44 | 4 | 1-5 | 0-3 | 2-2 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 12 |
Inactive Players
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Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, Zyon Pullin, Yuki Kawamura
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Warriors: Taran Armstrong, Jackson Rowe
Conclusion
The Warriors vs. Grizzlies play-in game was a showcase of high-level basketball, with standout performances from Butler, Curry, Bane, and Morant. The Warriors’ ability to hold off the Grizzlies’ third-quarter surge and capitalize on key moments secured their playoff berth. As the Warriors prepare for the Rockets, the Grizzlies face a critical opportunity to extend their season. Fans can expect more excitement as the NBA playoffs unfold.
