Tuesday, April 15, is the night for the NBA play-in games to begin, and it just got much more intense. After a heartbreaking 124-119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the regular-season finale, the Golden State Warriors are set to host the Memphis Grizzlies in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game.
Stephen Curry’s 36-point performance and Jimmy Butler’s 30 weren’t enough to get the win, but they’ll have another shot — this time at home, with the postseason on the line. The winner will go on to face the No. 2 Houston Rockets in the first round.
Warriors vs. Grizzlies Head-to-Head Stats
The Warriors vs. Grizzlies matchup has history. They have faced off 110 times in the regular season. Golden State holds the edge with 58 wins to Memphis’ 52, but it’s not just about past numbers. These teams have playoff memories as well — and recently.
The two teams met in the play-in tournament in 2021, when the Grizzlies shocked the Warriors and ended Golden State’s season with a win on the road in overtime. The Warriors would get their revenge, however, a year later in the Western Conference semifinals with a 4-2 series edge.
When it comes to the play-in, though, Golden State is winless in its last three appearances and is desperate to rewrite that story.
During the 2024-25 regular season, the Warriors won three of four matchups against Memphis. The latest one on April 1 was a blowout, where Steph Curry exploded for 52 points in Memphis, reminding everyone just how dangerous he can be when the stakes are high.
For the Warriors, Curry continues to be the engine. He’s averaging 24.4 points and six assists per game, while Draymond Green leads the boards with 6.1 rebounds. On the other hand, the Grizzlies rely heavily on Ja Morant, who’s putting up 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. Zach Edey is their top rebounder with 8.3 per game.
Injury Details Ahead of the Warriors-Grizzlies Clash
Golden State has been hot lately. They’re 7-3 in their last 10 games, averaging 113.9 points in the 2024-25 season. Memphis, meanwhile, is 4-6 in their last 10 and making 121.7 points per game.
On top of that, the Grizzlies are banged up, with key players like Luke Kennard, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Zach Edey all on the injury list. The Warriors are lucky on that front as they have no injuries reported.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Chase Center. Golden State has the home crowd, the recent momentum, and the head-to-head edge. But if history tells us anything, this rivalry always delivers fireworks. And with championship dreams at stake, expect nothing less.