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:
Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
Sat, 31 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026