Dubs Hold Off Grizzlies, 121-116 to Clinch #7 Playoff Spot in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Apr 2025
A day after failing in their bid for an automatic playoff berth against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors came back to its home floor and won their play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 to clinch the seventh seed in the West.
Previously just going 1-3 in their last four games at the Chase, the Dubs were determined not to lose again and relive the memory of their upset three points defeat to Memphis in the 2021 play-in.
Again Jimmy Butler led the Warriors offense hitting 38 points but it was Stephen Curry who secured the win by scoring the last four of his 37 points on the free throw line in the dying seconds of the game after Grizzlies seven foot center Zach Edey cut the Dubs lead to just one, 117-116.
Desmond Banes, the hero of the Grizzlies 2021 victory over the Warriors, eventually spearheaded Memphis scoring with 30 points after team star Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter. Morant finished with 22 points backed by Jaret Jackson Jr with 18 points.
But more than those three, the Grizzlies who really kept the game close and had Dubs coach Steve Kerr worried especially in the final two quarters, were the seven foot pair of Edey and Santi Aldama.
The Grizzlies' twin towers were dominating the painted area especially Edey who pulled down a game high 17 rebounds on top of 14 points prompting Kerr to reinforce his small ball rotation alternatingly with seven footers Kevon Looney and Quentin Post.
With Looney and Post playing the post, starting center Draymond Green switched to the forward position where he made his damage putting up screens and issuing a game high 10 assists that benefited Butler, Curry and Garry Payton II. Green with Curry and Butler also helped in clearing the glass while defending against Banes.
The seven foot Dutch center Post contributed 11 points aside from holding off Edey.
As #7 seed, Golden State will meet #2 Houston Rockets in the best of seven first round in the Western Conference playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies get another chance to make it to the post-season against the winner of the play-in match between #9 Sacramento Kings and #10 Dallas Mavericks tomorrow.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026