Butler replaces Tatum on the line

The Golden State Warriors didn’t just sneak past the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night – they stormed into the playoffs thanks to a pair of veterans who’ve been here before. Stephen Curry turned it on late, but it was Jimmy Butler who rewrote the headlines, and the record books, in a high-stakes 121-116 win that earned the Warriors the West’s No. 7 seed. Here’s how our Dane took you through it live.

Graphic courtesy of our friends at sofascore.

Butler’s 18 free throws

Butler dropped 38 points in what was not just his best performance as a Warrior it was historic, albeit over recent times. He attempted 18 free throws, more than anyone has ever taken in a Play-In Tournament game, breaking Jayson Tatum’s 2021 record of 17.

That year, Tatum was flawless from the line, going 17-for-17 on the way to a 50-piece for Boston. Butler didn’t hit them all – he went 12-for-18 – but the volume still counts.

This version of Butler is the one Golden State traded for. After a rocky regular season that saw the Warriors finish 48-34 and land in the Play-in zone, Tuesday night was Butler’s first real statement in blue and gold. And what a statement it was.

It also took the heat off Curry, who was stellar in his own right. He finished with 37 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, dragging the Warriors across the finish line in a game that stayed tight into the final minute.

What’s next for the Warriors?

With Memphis behind them, the Warriors now move on to a first-round clash with the young, high-octane Houston Rockets. Game 1 is set for Sunday, and you can bet the Rockets will be considering the dangers Butler and Curry will bring.

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