MikeCheck: Grizzlies brace for ‘Play-In’ clash at Golden State with NBA playoff spot at stake
Michael WallaceSAN FRANCISCO – Next stop: Golden State.
As the Grizzlies embark on their postseason journey, there definitely isn’t any shortage of motivation they’ll carry into Tuesday’s showdown with arguably their biggest nemesis.
There’s a remarkable history between these teams, which includes this postseason game format.
Three weeks ago, Warriors’ future Hall of Fame guard Steph Curry scorched the Grizzlies for a season-high 52 points in delivering a frustrating home loss at FedExForum.
Three years ago, Golden State beat Memphis in the second round of the playoffs on its way to a fourth NBA title in a franchise era anchored by Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr.
And a year before that, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies announced themselves as one of the NBA’s up-and-coming threats when they vanquished the Warriors in the 2021 Play-In Tournament. With that overtime victory at Golden State, Memphis advance to the playoffs for the first time in four years and first with Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane leading the charge.
So, it was almost inevitable that the Grizzlies’ path to their postseason goals would wind its way through another showdown with the Warriors. Golden State fell into the No. 7 seed after losing its season finale Sunday at home against the Clippers. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies own the No. 8 seed coming off Sunday’s blowout victory at home over the Mavericks.
The winner of Tuesday’s Play-In game at the Chase Center will secure the No. 7 seed and advance to face the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in a best-of-seven, first-round playoff series that starts Sunday. The loser of the Warriors-Grizzlies game will then host the winner of Wednesday’s game between the No. 9-seed Sacramento Kings and No. 10 Dallas Mavericks.
That Western Conference Play-In final game on Friday will determine which team snags the No. 8 seed and emerges to face the No. 1 overall seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
For the Grizzlies, this represents a chance to put behind a once promising but eventually problematic regular season that saw them stumble through the last three months. Defensive struggles, season-ending injuries to two of their top defenders and the dismissal of coach Taylor Jenkins were part of a late swoon that saw Memphis peak at 35-16 on Feb. 5 and finish 48-34.
Along the way, the Grizzlies went zero-for-California – having lost all eight games they’ve played this season on the road against the Warriors, Lakers, Clippers and Kings.
But that’s in the past now. There’s no time like the present for a Play-In breakthrough. The Grizzlies are eager to collectively hit the reset button.
“I feel everybody can,” Grizzlies swingman Vince Williams Jr. said of embracing the fresh start the postseason presents in Tuesday’s hostile environment. “We’re going to go out there and play them at their spot. We just have to knock down shots and outwork them. Honestly, just go figure it out one play at a time, execute, get loose balls and just give us more opportunities.”
The Warriors won three of the four regular-season matchups between the teams this season, with the Grizzlies lone victory coming in a historic 144-93 demolition on Dec. 19 at FedExForum. Memphis set a franchise record with 27 made 3-pointers, limited Curry to a season-low two points and registered the most lopsided victory of the NBA season at that point.
Two months later, the Warriors acquired All-NBA swingman Jimmy Butler at the February trade deadline and finished the season as one of the league’s hottest teams.
Following the Warriors’ 134-125 victory April 1 in Memphis, Kerr referenced how the humbling December loss to the Grizzlies and the Butler addition both impacted Golden State’s plight.
“We’re a completely different team – Jimmy saved our season,” Kerr said in Memphis. “The Grizzlies made 3-pointers, Ja was unstoppable and we were fortunate to come out on top. It was an amazing game. Both teams played at a high level. It kind of felt like a playoff game.”
Only this time, it’ll be much more like a playoff game.
The winner advances to the actual playoffs.
The loser has one more Play-In shot to extend its postseason.
“Our guys are locked in; they’ll get after it,” said Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, whose team went through a brief walk-through at Chase Center late Monday afternoon. “With the Play-In … you want to make it count. That’s how we’ll approach it. There is no tomorrow. You do whatever you can today, and then go day by day. That’s what gives me confidence. It’s the guys’ buy in, and we know we’re in a good situation heading into the postseason.”
The Warriors are certain to catch the Grizzlies’ full attention.
It’s the same the other way around, too.
From one team’s 51-point beatdown to one player’s 52-point outburst, something amazing is bound to happen when these teams meet.
This time, yet again, the payoff is a solidified spot in the playoffs.
Published on Apr 14, 2025
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