3 Moments That Made Warriors-Grizzlies Seem Clearly Rigged
3 Moments That Made Warriors-Grizzlies Seem Clearly Rigged
The Golden State Warriors secured their position as the seventh seed in the Western Conference after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2025. The intense matchup at Chase Center in San Francisco featured dramatic momentum shifts and controversial officiating that had fans talking long after the final buzzer.
Edey called for his 5th foul here. Memphis challenged the call but it was upheld. pic.twitter.com/zUMt6MQqDG
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 16, 2025
Pippen Jr called for a foul here to Jimmy Butler.. pic.twitter.com/X0cJs8TcRt
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 16, 2025
THIS WAS A CLEAN BLOCK BY BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI pic.twitter.com/nj6c30Xw00
— HOOPS HIGHLIGHTS 🎥 (@_HoopsNation) April 16, 2025
Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with an impressive 38-point performance that proved crucial in holding off a determined Grizzlies squad. The Warriors initially dominated, building a commanding 20-point advantage in the first half before Memphis mounted a remarkable comeback.
The Grizzlies managed to erase the deficit and briefly take the lead early in the fourth quarter, showcasing their resilience despite the hostile environment. Their comeback effort was spearheaded by their young talent, though ultimately fell short in the closing minutes.
Officiating became a major talking point throughout the fourth quarter. Several questionable calls affected both teams, particularly impacting Memphis big man Zach Edey, who was hampered with foul trouble after being called for his fifth personal on minimal contact against Moses Moody with 9:26 remaining in the game.
The Warriors benefited from some contentious whistles midway through the fourth quarter but also fell victim to debatable calls in the final minute. A disputed block by Brandin Podziemski was ruled a foul, while Kevon Looney was called for a loose ball foul during a critical rebounding situation that many fans and analysts questioned.
Despite the officiating controversy, the Warriors’ experience and composure proved decisive in the closing moments. The victory advances Golden State to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Key factors in the Warriors’ success included:
- Balanced scoring beyond Butler’s 38 points
- Defensive intensity in crucial moments
- Veteran leadership during Memphis’ surge
The Grizzlies’ valiant effort demonstrated their potential despite the disappointing result. Their ability to overcome a 20-point deficit on the road showed remarkable character, though inexperience may have cost them in the final minutes.
This game joined another controversial Play-In matchup from earlier in the evening when Trae Young was ejected during the Atlanta Hawks-Orlando Magic contest, making April 15 a particularly challenging night for NBA officials.
With this victory, the Warriors continue their quest for another championship run while the Grizzlies’ season comes to an end after a spirited performance that fell just short.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
