Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Warriors Secure Seventh Seed, Magic Dominate Hawks in Play-In Tournament Action
In a thrilling Western Conference play-in tournament contest, Jimmy Butler delivered a dominant 38-point performance, complemented by seven rebounds and six assists, as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night to clinch the seventh seed for the NBA playoffs. Stephen Curry contributed significantly with 37 points in the victory, ensuring Golden State’s progression in the postseason bracket.
Butler and Curry Lead Warriors Past Grizzlies
“Playoff Jimmy” showcased his brilliance, alleviating pressure on Curry. Curry punctuated the win with crucial three-pointers, one from the baseline with 1:50 remaining and another from the left wing at the one-minute mark. The Golden State Warriors are now set to face the Houston Rockets in a best-of-seven first-round series, commencing with Game 1 on Sunday in Houston.
Following a pair of free throws from Curry with just 5.4 seconds left on the clock, the Grizzlies attempted a final play, but Santi Aldama committed a five-second inbound violation, sealing the Warriors’ victory.
Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points, while Ja Morant added 22. The Grizzlies will now return home to host the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday in Sacramento to determine the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Butler’s Impact and Morant’s Injury Scare
As the Grizzlies gained momentum in the third quarter, Butler shifted the tide with a timely steal and dunk. He maintained an aggressive offensive presence, shooting 12-for-20, marking his second consecutive 30-point game and his highest scoring output since joining the Warriors. Butler also capitalized from the free-throw line, converting 12 of 18 attempts, continuing his strong free-throw shooting in April.
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Morant suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter when he landed on Buddy Hield’s foot and drew a foul from Quinten Post with 4:25 left. Despite the apparent discomfort, Morant completed a three-point play, narrowing the Grizzlies’ deficit to 82-81.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points for Memphis, and Zach Edey provided 14 points and 17 rebounds, also sinking two free throws with 14.3 seconds remaining in the game.
Curry’s Performance and Defensive Focus
Curry also secured eight rebounds and four assists, shooting 9-for-22 from the field. He faced persistent defensive pressure from Scotty Pippen Jr., who eventually fouled out in the game’s final moments.
After Curry’s dominant 52-point performance against the Grizzlies on April 1st, Memphis prioritized containing him defensively this time. This strategic focus allowed Butler to assume a more central offensive role and lead the Warriors’ attack.
Butler spearheaded four consecutive scoring possessions in the first quarter, giving the Warriors an early 31-18 advantage. His contributions included an assist to Gary Payton II for a dunk, a pass to Post for a three-pointer, a successful three-point shot, and a three-point play. Butler showed no ill effects from a quadriceps contusion sustained after a collision with Kawhi Leonard in their previous game.
Despite the win, the Warriors had hoped to avoid the play-in tournament altogether but a recent overtime loss to the Clippers prevented them from securing a guaranteed playoff spot.
Before this victory, Curry, Draymond Green, and the Warriors had a 0-3 record in play-in games, including a loss to the Grizzlies in 2021.
Magic Overpower Hawks in Eastern Conference Play-In
In the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, Cole Anthony came off the bench to score 26 points and provide six assists, leading the Orlando Magic to a decisive 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. This win marks the Magic’s first play-in game appearance.
Orlando Advances, Atlanta Faces Elimination Game
Paolo Banchero contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Magic, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black, also a reserve player, scored 16 points efficiently, shooting 6-for-7 from the field. By securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 regular season record, the Orlando Magic will now face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, starting Sunday in Boston.
Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks with 28 points and six assists but was ejected from the game with 4:47 remaining after receiving two technical fouls.
The Hawks, who have navigated the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, will now play at home on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat to determine the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Hawks’ Offense Struggles, Anthony’s Standout Performance
Georges Niang scored 15 points for the Hawks, and Onyeka Okongwu contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. However, Banchero and Black spearheaded the Magic’s offense, and the Hawks struggled offensively, scoring only two points in the final six minutes of the first quarter.
Anthony, who averaged 9.4 points during a season impacted by injuries, had an efficient performance, making 10 of 17 shots, including 4 of 9 three-pointers, demonstrating his capability as a key scorer for Orlando.