In a thrilling night of basketball, the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic secured their playoff berths during the NBA's play-in tournament on April 15, 2025. The Magic decisively defeated the Atlanta Hawks 120-95, while the Warriors edged out the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in a nail-biting finish.
At Chase Center in San Francisco, the Warriors showcased their resilience against the Grizzlies. Memphis started strong, with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the charge. However, the Warriors quickly turned the tide, launching a remarkable 29-7 run that propelled them from a nine-point deficit to a 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Golden State's star duo, Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III, were instrumental during this surge, with Butler scoring 21 points in the first half and Curry adding 15.
Despite a commanding 20-point lead in the second quarter, the Warriors faced a fierce comeback from the Grizzlies. Midway through the third quarter, Memphis closed the gap to just one point following an and-one play from Morant. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, Morant rolled his ankle on Buddy Hield's foot during the play, forcing him to leave the game after completing the three-point play.
Even without their star guard, Memphis fought valiantly. Early in the fourth quarter, they tied the game with a three-pointer from Desmond Bane and briefly took the lead with a layup from John Konchar. Morant returned to the game with a noticeable limp and quickly made an impact, hitting a mid-range jumper to level the score at 98.
In the closing moments, the Warriors relied on their clutch performers. Butler hit a jumper, and Curry knocked down two critical three-pointers, giving Golden State a six-point cushion with just a minute remaining. However, the Grizzlies weren't done yet. Two controversial foul calls allowed them to cut the deficit to just one point with 14 seconds left. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr smartly had the ball in Curry's hands, and he responded by sinking two free throws, pushing the lead back to three.
Memphis attempted to advance the ball but was thwarted by a five-second violation due to an inability to find an open teammate. Curry's final free throws, where he went a perfect 13-for-13 from the line, sealed the victory for Golden State. Butler finished as the game's high scorer with 38 points, while Curry added 37. For Memphis, Bane led the way with 30 points, and Morant contributed 22 points despite his injury. Rookie center Zach Edey also had a notable performance with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
With this win, the Warriors claimed the seventh seed in the Western Conference and will face the second-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round, beginning Sunday, April 20, 2025. Meanwhile, Memphis will get another chance to make the playoffs, as they will host a do-or-die game on Friday, April 18, against the winner of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings play-in game.
Earlier in the evening, the Orlando Magic clinched the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after a commanding victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Cole Anthony emerged as the star of the game, coming off the bench to score a team-high 26 points and adding six assists. The Magic took control early, leading by as many as 22 points in the first half. However, the Hawks made a push in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to just three points before the Magic pulled away again in the fourth, outscoring Atlanta 41-22.
Wendell Carter Jr. contributed significantly with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Paolo Banchero added 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The Hawks' star guard Trae Young was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up two quick technical fouls, which further impacted Atlanta's chances. Young had been leading the Hawks with 28 points before his exit.
With this victory, the Magic will face the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in the first round of the playoffs starting Sunday at TD Garden. The Magic have had success against the Celtics this season, winning two of their three matchups, and are looking to build on that momentum.
Reflecting on the upcoming series, Anthony expressed his excitement, stating, "I can’t wait to get out there. It’s a great opportunity ahead of us." The Magic are aware of the challenges posed by the Celtics, who are known for their offensive prowess, averaging 48 three-point attempts per game. Anthony emphasized the need to limit Boston's three-point shooting, saying, "We want to limit their threes, that’s going to be the main thing."
As the playoffs approach, both the Warriors and Magic are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason. With their playoff spots secured, the focus now shifts to making a deep run, showcasing their talents against some of the league's best teams.
