The 2025 NBA play-in event tipped off on Tuesday and though each No. 7 seeds superior, the outcomes have been removed from predetermined, significantly within the Western Convention, the place the Golden State Warriors simply barely outlasted the Memphis Grizzlies.
Here is a recap of Day 1 of the play-in event:
Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry threw their arms round one another and embraced.
Playoff Jimmy in all his brilliance on the massive stage took all of the strain off Curry, and now they’re taking the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs.
“I do know I wish to win a championship so he wants, his what, this is able to be No. 5?” Butler stated.
Butler had 38 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists creating alternatives on each ends at each probability, Curry scored 37, and the Warriors earned the seventh seed within the Western Convention by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday evening within the Play-In Event.
Curry knocked down a baseline 3-pointer with 1:50 to go and one from the left wing with a minute on the clock then transformed 4 free throws within the closing 5 seconds.
Golden State is now headed for a best-of-seven first-round collection with the Rockets starting with Recreation 1 on Sunday at Houston.
“It took 83 video games however we’re proper the place we wish to be, which is again within the playoffs and we have an opportunity,” coach Steve Kerr stated.
After a pair of free throws by Curry with 5.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies had one final probability — however Santi Aldama couldn’t inbound the ball earlier than a five-second violation.
Desmond Bane scored 30 factors and Ja Morant 22 for Memphis, which can head dwelling to play Friday towards the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday evening in Sacramento to find out the eighth playoff spot.
With the Grizzlies on a roll halfway by way of the third, Butler grabbed momentum again with a steal and dunk. He shot 12 for 20 in a second straight 30-point efficiency and his highest scoring sport since becoming a member of the Warriors on the commerce deadline. He made 12 of 18 free throws — having been 63 of 68 from the road over the earlier eight video games in April.
Morant went down laborious rolling his proper ankle when he stepped on Buddy Hield’s foot and was fouled by Quinten Submit with 4:25 remaining within the third however received up and completed the three-point play to drag the Grizzlies inside 82-81.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 factors, whereas Zach Edey contributed 14 factors, 17 rebounds and hit two free throws with 14.3 seconds left.
Curry had eight rebounds, 4 assists and shot 9 for 22 whereas recurrently swarmed by Scotty Pippen Jr. earlier than he fouled out late.
Curry had lit up the Grizzlies for 52 factors on their dwelling ground in a 134-125 win on April 1, and the Grizzlies made him a prime precedence this time — so Butler took cost.
“He is completely different,” Draymond Inexperienced stated.
He led 4 straight scoring possessions to place the Warriors up 31-18 late within the first quarter — helping on Gary Payton II’s chopping dunk, dishing to Submit for a 3 and making a 3-point shot and three-point play himself. Butler confirmed no indicators of being affected by a young left quadriceps muscle after he took a knee from Kawhi Leonard on Sunday.
The Warriors hoped to keep away from this additional sport, however misplaced in extra time to the Clippers within the regular-season finale on Sunday for his or her third dwelling defeat over the ultimate week.
Curry, Inexperienced and the Warriors had been 0-3 in play-in video games throughout appearances in 2021 and final 12 months. The Grizzlies eradicated them at Chase Middle with a 117-112 extra time victory in ’21.
Orlando Magic stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner entered Tuesday’s NBA Play-In Recreation averaging a mixed 60-plus-points towards the Atlanta Hawks this season. However, as the 2 struggled to seek out their offense, the Magic’s bench stepped up and led them to an 120-95 win.
Cole Anthony got here off the bench to steer Orlando with 26 factors and 6 assists, whereas Anthony Black scored 16 factors on 6-of-7 capturing, and was a game-high plus-34 in 28 minutes. With the victory, the Magic will advance to play in a first-round playoff collection towards the Boston Celtics beginning on Sunday at Boston.
After leaping out to an early double-digit lead, it appeared as if the Magic would cruise into that 7-seed, however then the Hawks surged out of the half-time break. They minimize the margin to 71-68 with three minutes remaining within the third quarter as Orlando’s offense went chilly. It’s normal for the Magic to have poor offensive stretches throughout video games and that shall be an issue shifting ahead. It virtually downed them on Tuesday, however they kicked into gear and did not let Atlanta seize the lead, earlier than blowing the Hawks out of the water within the fourth quarter.
The Magic are inclined to make up for his or her lack of offense with among the best defenses within the NBA. That was on show Tuesday as they held the Hawks to 38.1% capturing from the sector and 19% from 3-point vary. Whereas Trae Younger completed with 28 factors, he was an inefficient 8-of-21 and the Magic received beneath his pores and skin to the purpose that he kicked the ball in anger along with chucking the ball at an official, which earned him a pair of technical fouls and an ejection within the fourth quarter.
Banchero ended with 17 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, however Orlando will want extra from him if it needs any probability towards Boston.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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