Since capturing their last NBA title in 2022, the Golden State Warriors have consistently found themselves under pressure in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
They started the 2024–25 season strong, winning 12 of their first 15 games, only to see their momentum stall as they slid down the standings.
The mid-season addition of Jimmy Butler provided a much-needed spark, but a late-season slump landed them in the Play-In Tournament for the second year in a row. Golden State had to dig deep once again and managed to survive against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
Butler delivered his best performance in a Warriors jersey, racking up 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals on an efficient 12-of-18 shooting night in the 121–116 victory.
Stephen Curry came alive in the fourth quarter, drilling several crucial 3-pointers and finishing with 37 points and eight rebounds.
Together, the star duo accounted for over half of Golden State’s total offense. Even so, it took a costly Grizzlies in-bound mistake to seal the win.
While some fans question the team’s strength heading into their first-round playoff matchup against the second-seeded Houston Rockets, head coach Steve Kerr is simply thankful for the reset—and the chance to catch his breath.
“We desperately needed to win this game and get four days,” the Warriors head coach told reporters after the victory, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson. “Took 83 games, but we’re right back where we want to be in the playoffs.”
Warriors look to build momentum after fighting to make postseason
When a seasoned, title-winning team finds its rhythm, the rest of the conference takes notice. The real question now is whether the Warriors have truly found their footing.
Jonathan Kuminga remained on the bench for another game and heads into the playoffs with his role still unclear. Brandin Podziemski, though showing signs of improvement, continues to be inconsistent from the perimeter. And while Quinten Post and Gary Payton II combined for 23 points against Memphis, Steve Kerr knows he needs more consistent offensive output from his bench.
Still, with the leadership and firepower of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, Golden State could be poised for another deep postseason push. The next four days are critical—they’ll need to recover, recalibrate, and prepare for their series against the Houston Rockets. Skipping a do-or-die Play-In clash with the Kings or Mavericks, which would have taken place Friday, is a major relief for a squad that leans heavily on its veteran leadership.
Ironically, that gritty, high-stakes win over Memphis might be what finally pulls the Warriors out of survival mode.
