The NBA Play-In Tournament never disappoints, and this year was no exception. Fans got a double dose of excitement, emotions, and playoff-level intensity as the Golden State Warriors survived a tough test from the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Orlando Magic made quick work of the Atlanta Hawks.
Let’s dive into everything that went down — from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler turning into a dynamic scoring machine, to Orlando showing off its young core with confidence and poise.
Warriors vs. Grizzlies: Curry and Butler Turn Back the Clock
This one was for the basketball purists, the Warriors believers, and every fan who’s missed the Curry magic in the postseason.
Golden State stepped onto their home court with a clear mission: win or face another do-or-die game. With the stakes this high, there was no room for hesitation — and Stephen Curry knew it. So did Jimmy Butler.
Yep, Jimmy Buckets — now wearing a Warriors jersey — looked like the playoff beast we’ve seen with the Heat, and he wasted no time proving his worth.
Together, Curry and Butler exploded for a combined 75 points (via NBA.com). That’s not a typo. Seventy-five. Curry finished with 37, dancing around defenders and drilling threes like he was playing on a Nerf hoop. Butler, always cool under pressure, poured in 38 of his own — attacking the rim, hitting mid-range jumpers, and locking in on defense.
Their chemistry was unreal. For a duo that hasn’t played multiple seasons together, they looked like longtime teammates who trusted each other with everything. Whenever Memphis tried to go on a run, one of them responded instantly.
A Fight From Memphis Until the End
To be clear — this was no cakewalk for Golden State. The Grizzlies came ready to fight.
Desmond Bane was a problem all night. He scored 30 points and kept Memphis alive with timely buckets. Ja Morant, who’s been nursing an ankle injury, put in a gutsy 22-point performance. He didn’t have his usual explosiveness, but his leadership was still there. Rookie big man Zach Edey also chipped in with 14 points and a monstrous 17 rebounds, showing flashes of why Memphis took a chance on him.
In the second half, the Warriors saw their 20-point lead nearly vanish as Memphis surged back. For a few minutes, it felt like the game could slip through their fingers. But in classic Warriors fashion, experience took over.
Draymond Green made smart defensive reads. Klay Thompson — even though he wasn’t on fire offensively — made key passes and forced Memphis into tough shots. And then, of course, Steph iced it at the line after Memphis committed a five-second inbound violation in crunch time.
That mistake sealed the Grizzlies’ fate, and the Warriors punched their ticket to the playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference.
Their reward? A date with the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets. That’s going to be fun.
Magic vs. Hawks: Youth, Depth, and a Blowout in Orlando
If the Warriors game was a thriller, the Orlando Magic game was more of a statement.
The Magic absolutely handled the Atlanta Hawks from start to finish, winning 120-95 in front of an electric home crowd. They were faster, sharper, and deeper. This wasn’t a fluke win — this was the kind of dominant team performance that screams “we’re ready for the playoffs.”
Leading the way was Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points and lit it up in the fourth quarter when Atlanta tried to make a last push. He was aggressive, confident, and fed off the energy of the crowd. Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points with solid post play, while rising star Paolo Banchero contributed 17 points and nine rebounds — his presence on both ends of the court was impossible to miss.
But what really set the Magic apart was their bench.
Orlando’s second unit outscored Atlanta’s reserves 57-30. That kind of production from the bench? That’s rare in a high-pressure game like this, and it says a lot about how well this team has been coached and developed.
Frustration Boils Over in Atlanta
It was a rough night for the Hawks. Trae Young led all scorers with 28 points, but his frustration eventually got the best of him. In the fourth quarter, he was ejected after arguing with the officials. You can watch the sequence and his postgame comments in this ESPN video clip. It was the cherry on top of a sour evening for Atlanta.
To be fair, the Hawks had their moments — some nice fast breaks, decent stretches of defense — but nothing was clicking consistently. When the Magic started pulling away, Atlanta didn’t have an answer. Their shooters went cold, their defense lagged, and their composure broke down.
Now, they’re in a tough spot. They’ll have one more chance to make the playoffs — facing the winner of the Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls matchup for the final 8th seed in the East.
What’s Next?
So now the table is set.
The Warriors will take on the Houston Rockets in what promises to be a fast-paced, high-scoring first-round matchup. For a complete overview of the matchups and schedule, check out the 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket.The Curry vs. Amen Thompson battle alone is worth tuning in for, and if Butler stays hot, we could be looking at a classic series.
On the Eastern side, the Magic have earned themselves a tough challenge — a date with the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics. Boston has been one of the best teams all year, but this young Magic squad might just have the right mix of energy and confidence to make it interesting.
Well, this year’s Play-In games reminded us why this tournament exists. It gives us drama, upsets, breakout performances, and one last shot for teams to prove themselves. We got all of that — and more — in these two matchups.
The Warriors found new life behind the brilliance of Curry and the toughness of Butler. The Magic showed they’re not just a young team — they’re a dangerous one. The Grizzlies and Hawks? They’re still in the fight, but their margin for error is gone.
As the full playoff picture comes into view, one thing’s clear: if the Play-In Tournament was this exciting, we’re in for one wild postseason.