Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after not getting a foul name throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Picture/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
SAN FRANCISCO — No person needed to remind Draymond Inexperienced of Golden State’s struggles within the NBA play-in event, as a result of these outcomes are nonetheless loads contemporary.
But this time, Inexperienced is thrilled the Warriors have the added benefit of Jimmy Butler on their aspect to assist them attempt to attain the first-round playoffs.
READ: NBA: Clippers earn No. 5 seed, relegate Warriors to play-in
“Man, we’ve bought a number of actually good basketball gamers round this locker room key in what we’re attempting to do,” Butler mentioned. “I like the arrogance he has in myself. I even have the identical quantity of confidence. I do know that I and we now have a job to do, and I do know that we’re able to doing it, so play-in right here we come.”
After a 124-119 extra time loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in a regular-season finale for the ages on Sunday, Inexperienced, Butler and Stephen Curry should take their staff down the more durable highway as soon as once more.
The Warriors face the Memphis Grizzlies in a play-in sport Tuesday evening at Chase Heart for the No. 7 seed within the Western Convention playoffs. Beating the Clippers would have earned Golden State the sixth seed.
“We’ve bought to show the web page shortly and transfer on to that sport, so our guys could have tomorrow off and are available in and have a walk-through on Tuesday and able to roll,” coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “A fantastic alternative there to win a sport and get into the playoffs, which has been our objective this entire time.”
READ: Clippers, Warriors conflict for positioning in season-finale
Butler had 30 factors on 12-for-20 taking pictures and 9 assists enjoying 48 minutes towards the Clippers.
“He does what the sport requires,” Curry mentioned of Butler.
Although Butler is aware of there may be little room for error this time of yr.
“It didn’t finish the way in which that we wished it to finish so we’ve bought to determine one thing out, myself included, and hit the bottom operating come Tuesday,” Butler mentioned. “It felt good to have the ball and make all the appropriate choices.”
The Warriors had been eradicated by the Sacramento Kings 118-94 within the play-in event because the No. 10 seed final yr. In 2020-21, Golden State misplaced to the Lakers 103-100 earlier than having its season ended by the Grizzlies in a 117-112 defeat.
READ: NBA: Jimmy Butler scores 24 as Warriors prime Blazers
“We haven’t fared effectively in these play-in video games, so we’ve bought to verify we’re locked in and able to go,” Inexperienced mentioned.
In 2023, Butler and Miami misplaced a play-in sport to Atlanta however bounced again to beat the Bulls due to his 31 factors — and the Warmth wound up making an NBA Finals run earlier than dropping to Denver.
“We joked about that I feel final week that he went into the play-in packing for 2 months,” Curry mentioned. “We’d like to have that chance.”
Given Butler’s exceptional document of sensible performances on the playoff stage, Curry and Inexperienced know Golden State can lean on that.
READ: Harrison Barnes’ bomb lifts Spurs over Warriors at buzzer
“I’ve been excited because the commerce deadline due to that,” Curry mentioned of getting Butler on the large stage.
The OT sport Sunday actually resembled a playoff environment. Butler has helped flip across the Warriors since being acquired on the commerce deadline.
“We’ll simply draw on having Jimmy as a complete,” Inexperienced mentioned. “You noticed the trouble he put on the market tonight. That’s it. Not essentially the expertise within the play-in or any of that, simply using our aces.”
Butler, for one, can’t wait.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“We’re proper the place we need to be.”