April 1, 2025, was a night to remember for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors as they faced the Memphis Grizzlies in a thrilling matchup at the FedExForum. Curry was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 52 points and sinking 12 three-pointers, leading the Warriors to a 134-125 victory. With this win, Golden State climbed to 5th place in the Western Conference standings, showcasing their determination as the regular season winds down.
Curry’s performance was a stark contrast to the last time the Warriors played in Memphis, where they suffered a humiliating 51-point defeat. Reflecting on that game, Curry said, "I actually forgot," when asked if the previous loss motivated him. "I was just more focused on how big this game was for us." His focus paid off, as he dominated from the start, scoring 19 points in the first quarter alone.
The Warriors established an early lead, with Curry hitting four of his first five shots, including three three-pointers. By halftime, he had tallied 32 points, shooting 11 of 16 from the field and 8 of 10 from beyond the arc. Curry’s impressive shooting performance was complemented by his ability to facilitate the game, contributing eight assists and grabbing ten rebounds.
Despite Curry's heroics, the Grizzlies fought hard to stay in the game. Desmond Bane struggled early but found his rhythm later, while Ja Morant scored 36 points and made headlines with a controversial gesture towards the Warriors' bench. The Grizzlies managed to tie the game at 103-103 in the third quarter, taking advantage of a brief lull in the Warriors' scoring.
However, the Warriors regained control in the final minutes, thanks to key contributions from Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, who made crucial shots down the stretch. Curry’s 52-point outing marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time a Golden State player had reached such numbers since Rick Barry in 1974. After the game, Curry expressed his emotions about passing Jerry West on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, saying, "It was special. What he meant to our organization, the league, and basketball as a whole... that's the logo."
Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry's performance, calling it "incredible" and marveling at his ability to score despite defenders shadowing him. Kerr noted, "Fifty-two points with people wrapped around him the entire game... you really get a sense of the greatness of his talent." However, Draymond Green, Curry’s long-time teammate, tempered the praise, stating, "Hell no. No chance. I can't recall the best one off the top of my head, but this isn't it."
Meanwhile, in other NBA action on April 1, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns 133-123, despite missing stars Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points and 11 assists, showcasing his versatility and leadership. Devin Booker kept the Suns competitive with 39 points and 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bucks’ solid performance.
The Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers but fell short, losing 127-113. Deni Avdija recorded a triple-double for Portland, scoring 32 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. The Hawks' Trae Young had a strong showing with 29 points and 15 assists but could not lead his team to victory, as they have now lost three of their last four games.
In another matchup, the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 105-91, despite missing key players Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 27 points, while Mitchell Robinson added a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Knicks managed to maintain control throughout the game, capitalizing on the Sixers' struggles.
The Chicago Bulls secured a spot in the play-in tournament with a 137-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors, effectively eliminating Toronto from playoff contention. Nikola Vucevic played a pivotal role, contributing a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Coby White also shined with 28 points, helping the Bulls build a significant lead.
Lastly, the Denver Nuggets faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in a double-overtime thriller, with Nikola Jokic scoring a career-high 61 points, along with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Despite Jokic's stellar performance, the Nuggets fell 140-139, largely due to critical mistakes by Russell Westbrook in the closing moments. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 34 points, showcasing his ability to perform in clutch situations.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the playoff picture becomes clearer, with teams jostling for position and securing their spots. The excitement is palpable as fans look forward to the upcoming playoffs, where every game counts.
