Curry shoots Warriors past Grizzlies as Golden State locks in West No. 8 seed
Warriors #Warriors
Steph Curry proves at age 33 that NBA players can play at their peak
SHARE
SHARE
TWEET
SHARE
Click to expand
UP NEXT
For all the hype surrounding Sunday’s game with the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, it was the first time the Grizzlies faced Stephen Curry in more than two years.
Curry danced and shimmied after he made four 3-pointers in the third quarter. When the Grizzlies answered with a furious fourth-quarter rally, the NBA’s scoring leader slammed any hopes of a comeback.
After three consecutive 3-pointers, he yelled to the Chase Center crowd and lifted up his shirt. It was his house, and the Grizzlies learned the hard way in Golden State’s 113-101 win in the teams’ regular-season finale.
Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.
The win locked the Warriors into the No. 8 seed, where they will play either the Portland Trail Blazers or Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament, pending the outcomes of Lakers at Pelicans and Nuggets at Trail Blazers in their regular-season finales later Sunday night.
The Grizzlies advance to the play-in tournament as the No. 9 seed and will host the 10th-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at FedExForum. To advance to the playoffs, Memphis must win back-to-back elimination games. If they beat the Spurs, the second game will come on the road against either the Warriors or the No. 7 seed — either the Lakers or Trail Blazers.
Sunday was another lesson in closing out games that matter.
Dillon Brooks almost single handedly brought the Grizzlies back from a 17-point third-quarter deficit. He tied the score at 91 with a driving layup and free throw.
But 20 seconds later, he picked up his sixth foul. With 6:12 left, he walked to the bench, and the Grizzlies’ heart was left open for Curry’s dagger.
Jonas Valanciunas gave the Grizzlies a 97-95 lead with 4:49 left. The Warriors then went on a 14-0 run with Curry finishing them off with the last nine points.
EASTERN CONFERENCE: Wizards make improbable run into play-in game
HOOPS HALL: 16 named to 2021 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class
Curry’s 46 points was another dominant performance, but the Grizzlies put themselves in that spot with turnovers and watching the Warriors beat them to offensive rebounds and backdoor layups.
Ja Morant, who had 35 points in last year’s play-in game loss to the Trail Blazers, shot just 7-for-21 for 16 points.
As the crowd at Chase Center chanted “M-V-P” for Curry’s final free throws, the Grizzlies found out again they have more to learn before being true contenders.
Curry provided another lesson they can dwell on until Wednesday when their season is on the line.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Curry shoots Warriors past Grizzlies as Golden State locks in West No. 8 seed