Warriors shake off play-in woes, move on to face Rockets
.jpg)
Sure! Here's a cleaner, more concise rewrite of the main article (Golden State vs. Memphis) with a journalistic tone and improved flow:
SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry embraced midcourt, two stars now united in their pursuit of another championship run.
"Playoff Jimmy" delivered when it mattered most, easing the load on Curry and helping push the Golden State Warriors back into the playoffs.
"I want to win a championship," Butler said. "He’s going for No. 5, right?"
Butler scored 38 points with seven rebounds and six assists, while Curry added 37 as the Warriors edged the Memphis Grizzlies 121–116 in Tuesday night’s play-in tournament. The win secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference and a first-round series with the Houston Rockets starting Sunday.
Curry sealed the game late, draining two clutch threes in the final two minutes and knocking down four free throws in the final seconds. Golden State coach Steve Kerr summed it up: “It took 83 games, but we’re right where we want to be — back in the playoffs.”
Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points, and Ja Morant had 22, including a tough three-point play after rolling his right ankle late in the third quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18, and rookie big man Zach Edey posted 14 points and 17 rebounds.
The Grizzlies still have a shot at the postseason and will host the winner of Wednesday’s Mavericks-Kings matchup for the final playoff spot.
Midway through the third quarter, with Memphis surging, Butler sparked a turnaround with a steal and breakaway dunk. He finished 12-of-20 from the field and 12-of-18 from the line, notching his best performance since joining Golden State at the trade deadline.
Curry, despite tight defense from Scotty Pippen Jr., recorded eight rebounds and four assists while shooting 9-for-22. Pippen fouled out late, but not before keeping Curry in check for much of the game.
Butler opened the game on a tear, leading four consecutive scoring possessions to give Golden State a 31–18 lead. He dished out assists, hit a three, and converted a three-point play — all while showing no signs of the quad injury he suffered in the regular-season finale.
“Jimmy’s just different,” Draymond Green said.
The Warriors had hoped to avoid the play-in but dropped their final game to the Clippers in overtime, marking their third home loss in a week. Prior to Tuesday, Golden State was winless in three play-in appearances.
This time, they flipped the script.
Let me know if you'd like a similar rewrite for the Orlando Magic vs. Hawks recap too!