Bring the Memphis kids to Chase Center for the play-in tournament, it’s time to make them go Night Night.
Let’s talk about destiny, Dub Nation. When Jimmy Butler first landed in the Bay this February—rejected Memphis’ trade attempts like a blocked shot into the third row—nobody could have predicted we’d wind up here: a winner-take-all play-in against the franchise that’s become Golden State’s most bitter rival of the Curry era.
The Warriors (48-34) host the Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) on Tuesday in what can only be described as basketball karma so perfect it feels scripted. Both teams navigated the regular season to identical records, setting up a high-stakes elimination game between franchises that absolutely cannot stand each other.
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 7:00 PM PT
Where: Chase Center – San Francisco
Watch: TNT
The Warriors have a clear injury report for the play-in game against the Grizzlies tomorrow night. Everyone available. Steph Curry has a sprained right thumb and Jimmy Butler took a Kawhi knee to the thigh, but both will play.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 14, 2025
This rivalry has more layers than Draymond Green has technicals. It all started with the Andre Iguodala saga, where Memphis acquired him in 2019 as salary filler, and he essentially said “no thanks” to even showing up to training camp. That wound festered until 2021, when these teams faced off in a play-in game that Memphis won in overtime.
The next season? Golden State eliminated the Grizzlies in a chippy six-game series where the phrase “breaking the code” entered NBA lore. Since then, we’ve endured Dillon Brooks’ trash talk, Klay Thompson’s ring-counting, Ja Morant’s “Whoop That Trick” trolling, and Jaren Jackson Jr. mocking “Strength in Numbers” on Twitter.
Memphis’ young core had some things to say about Andre Iguodala, which led to a clapback from Steph, which led to a clapback from Ja Morant. Love the pride shown by the young Grizz AND the trash talk from Steph too – here’s why everyone involved knows none of it is that serious: pic.twitter.com/TcCjRc1RFK
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 4, 2020
But the latest twist in this saga might be the most fascinating. Back in January, Memphis aggressively pursued Jimmy Butler, who effectively told the Grizzlies front office “thanks but no thanks” in his own trademark Jimmy way. The Golden State front office swooped in like vultures at the deadline, giving Butler exactly what he wanted: a chance to play with Steph Curry.
Haynes: Jimmy Butler has no interest in being traded to Grizzlies.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 7, 2025
Since Butler’s arrival, the Warriors have transformed from middling play-in team to genuine threat. His ability to get to the free throw line has added a dimension Golden State hasn’t had since Kevin Durant left town. In his first two games with the Warriors, Butler attempted 28 free throws—a two-game mark no Warrior had reached since Durant in 2018.
Meanwhile, Memphis enters Tuesday’s game with a shocking late-season adjustment—having fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left in the regular season. This is like firing your wedding planner while guests are arriving at the venue. Considering Jenkins took Memphis from rebuild to relevance and helped develop Morant into a star, the decision reflects the kind of panic that great organizations like Golden State avoid.
Warriors vs Grizzlies is NOT a rivalry.
One team is full of legends who win championships, while the other is full of young players who just talk a lot.
— Guru (@DrGuru_) June 19, 2022
Draymond says Warriors-Grizzlies isn’t a rivalry because Memphis hasn’t won anything meaningful pic.twitter.com/96TGZg1Qij
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 10, 2023
What makes this game even more compelling is watching how Ja Morant continues his personal redemption arc. After suspensions and injuries limited him to just nine games last season, Morant has returned with both his trademark electricity and a newfound maturity.
“Right now, I’m happy, and that’s my main focus,” Morant said back at media day. “I feel like a happy Ja is a scary Ja for a lot of people.”
Tuesday’s outcome hinges on a few key factors:
- Butler’s matchup exploitation: He’s historically torched Memphis, scoring 52, 37, 41, 30, and 27 points on them in his matchups against them since the 2020-2021 season.
- Curry’s gravity: The Warriors’ offensive rating with the Curry-Butler pairing is reminiscent of the peak dynasty years. Also, Curry busted them across the head for 52 points just two weeks ago.
- Battle of the boards: Memphis ranks third in offensive rebound percentage, while Golden State sits fourth—suggesting second-chance points could determine the outcome.
- Morant vs. Warriors defense: This is the type of game a hungry young star like Morant craves in the national spotlight. He’s averaged 22.4 points, 6.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 13 games vs the Warriors in his career.
The implications are massive. The winner advances to face the second-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round. The loser faces an elimination game against the Kings-Mavericks winner for the 8th seed.
For Golden State, Tuesday represents validation that the Butler acquisition wasn’t just headline-grabbing but championship-caliber. For Memphis, it’s about proving they can finally overcome the franchise that’s been their biggest psychological hurdle despite chaotic front-office decisions.
Every “WHOOP THAT TRICK” chant from Memphis’ past has been deposited in the Warriors’ collective memory bank with accruing interest. Every Draymond flagrant has been cataloged by Grizzlies fans, ready to fuel their righteous indignation.
This is playoff basketball distilled to its purest form. Two teams, one survivor. The rivalry that keeps on giving just delivered its most delicious chapter yet. Oh wait, it ain’t a rivalry until Memphis actually wins something.