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:
Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
Fri, 22 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
Fri, 22 May 2026Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
Fri, 22 May 2026Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 21 May 2026AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Thu, 21 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 21 May 2026TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
Thu, 21 May 2026Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
Thu, 21 May 2026Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
Thu, 21 May 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
Thu, 21 May 2026Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026