The NBA regular season is over, and the Western Conference playoff picture is set. The Golden State Warriors will face the Memphis Grizzlies in the 7-8 play-in game.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 9-10 matchup. The winner of Warriors vs. Grizzlies grabs the No. 7 seed and a first-round clash with the second-seeded Houston Rockets. The loser gets one more chance, facing the Kings-Mavericks winner for the final playoff spot and a matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Here’s how the first round currently stacks up:
- (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-in winner
- (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Play-in winner
- (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
- (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
On ESPN’s Get Up, analysts broke down the key storylines heading into the postseason. Brian Windhorst called the Warriors’ situation “not ideal,” pointing to late-game missteps by Draymond Green and injury concerns surrounding Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler. (Though Butler suited up for the Clippers, Windhorst’s remark reflected the broader injury risks as teams pushed hard down the stretch.)
Marcus Morris Sr. questioned the Warriors’ size, especially against frontcourts led by physical bigs like Ivica Zubac.
“Play against these two teams, that these two teams that have no veteran, and to your point, centers are non-existent in the playoffs. So, I think it’s actually a good thing, right, that they don’t have no bigs, because Zubac is a good, a good big, obviously,” Morris Sr. said (5:00). “They got to get to that, right, but centers don’t play in the playoff.
“If I think Draymond Green opens up the floor for them, but if I’m the Warriors, and I get past the Grizzlies, I’m feeling really good about my match-up with the Rockets. I’m feeling—hey, I’m sitting back, and I’m chopping at.”
Interestingly, some analysts argued that finishing seventh could actually benefit the Warriors. If they win the play-in, they avoid a first-round clash with the Lakers and instead face the less experienced Thunder or Rockets, a more favorable route for a deep run.
The Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Golden State Warriors
A GRAND FINALE: STARS SHINE AS CLIPS BEAT DUBS IN OT, CLINCH 5 SEED
— NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2025
The 4th quarter was ticking down in San Francisco, and every other game in the 2024-25 NBA regular season had ended.
For the Clippers and the Warriors, the two other teams competing with them for Playoff spots… pic.twitter.com/PC5OY8trqo
James Harden dropped 39 points, dished 10 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Clippers past the Warriors 124–119 in overtime on Sunday.
The win locked up the No. 5 seed in the West and pushed their win streak to eight, finishing the regular season at 50–32.
Golden State’s loss bumped them down to No. 7, sending them to the play-in tournament.
“We’re a good team and we’re excited to show the world, but we’re a good team,” Harden said, according to The Guardian.
A win would have pushed them to No. 6 and avoided the play-in. Instead, they’ll host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, fighting for the No. 7 seed. The loser faces the winner of Sacramento vs. Dallas for the final playoff spot.
The Clippers’ victory also dodged a first-round clash with the Lakers. Instead, they’ll face the No. 4 Denver Nuggets, who secured home-court advantage. The Lakers landed at No. 3 via tiebreakers.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves grabbed the No. 6 seed by beating Utah, thanks to Anthony Edwards’ 43 points.
“We don’t want to play in the play-in, because I’ve been in both situations,” Edwards said. “We want to be fully prepared going into the playoffs. We want that whole week.”
For the Warriors, history looms large: they’ve never won a play-in game. Their path to the playoffs just got tougher.
READ: Warriors’ Road Gets Tougher After OT Heartbreaker to Clippers
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
