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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 MAY 2026: Usyk Defeats Verhoeven in Controversial Stoppage; Catterall UD Giyasov; Hiruta Beats Soliman; Sanchez KOs Torrez; Jones Stops Gualtieri
By Eric Armit, Tue, 26 May 2026WBC #14 Bryan Flores Takes on Jonathan Navarro in 10-round Super Lightweight Main Event on ProBoxTV, Sat., July 18, at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif.
Tue, 26 May 2026Villarosa retains PH Youth super fly crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 26 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Six More Wins on Day Eight at 2026 Copa America
Tue, 26 May 2026It’s time for blue-chip prospect Marco Romero to sign with top promoter
Tue, 26 May 2026General Trias Team All Set for International Chess Meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 26 May 2026Rosas wins PH superfly crown in first fight
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Spurs Shackle Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of West Finals
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 25 May 2026Paciones defeats Laspoña, retains WBO Oriental flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 May 2026Results from Panama City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 25 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Improves Strong Copa America Showing with 8 win Day
Mon, 25 May 2026Benilde Blazers wins Antipolo 2x2 chess team tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 May 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 24 May 2026Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
Sun, 24 May 2026Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
Sun, 24 May 2026