NBA Play-In Tournament Shakes Up Playoffs as Warriors and Magic Seize Crucial Wins

• April 17, 2025
• Ethan Carrington
• 0 Comments

Stars Shine Brightest as Warriors and Magic Nab Playoff Spots

This year’s NBA Play-In Tournament just proved why the league won’t be ditching the format anytime soon. If you love do-or-die basketball, the last round delivered some edge-of-your-seat stuff. The Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic each took a huge step forward by clinging to their playoff spots, while the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks are suddenly staring down elimination.

All eyes were glued to the Western Conference clash between Golden State and Memphis. With so much on the line, legends chose the perfect night to go off. Stephen Curry, who’s used to late-April heroics, and Jimmy Butler—making his Play-In debut for the Warriors—teamed up for an eye-popping 75 points. The duo owned clutch time, knocking down shots that felt like haymakers. One late three from Curry nearly blew the roof off Chase Center. Every time the Grizzlies made it close, Butler answered on the other end. The intensity was wild, and with every bucket, you could sense that Memphis’s postseason life hung by a thread.

Meanwhile, the East had its own drama. The Magic, entering as the 8th seed, weren’t supposed to take down the more experienced Hawks. But Orlando’s defense suffocated Atlanta’s shooters and turned their fast-break energy into valuable points. The Magic not only advanced but now get the daunting task of playing the top-seeded Celtics—a far cry from where they stood a week ago. For a young squad, knocking off Atlanta is more than just a win; it’s a statement that their season isn’t a fluke.

Play-In Format Creates Nonstop Pressure

The real draw of the NBA Play-In Tournament is that there’s no time for cold starts or nerves. You lose, your season could end in three days. That’s what Atlanta and Memphis are facing now. Instead of prepping for a best-of-seven, they’re back in the pressure cooker, waiting to find out who’ll survive the 9th vs. 10th seed duels for a final shot at playoff redemption.

What stood out most was how the Play-In is built for stars. Curry looked like a player who knows his legacy’s on the line every spring, and Butler’s swagger fit right in on a new stage. The Magic didn’t have that one headline name, but their team defense stepped up when the basics mattered most: get stops, hit free throws, finish at the rim. It’s that kind of single-elimination pressure that can turn a young squad into a postseason threat.

Looking ahead, the Warriors now line up against the Rockets as the West’s 7th seed. Curry’s playoff mode is legendary, and with Butler on board, nobody’s sleeping on Golden State—even with a rocky regular season. Orlando’s reward isn’t easy, either; battling Boston’s defense will test their poise and grit. But after the Play-In chaos, there might be more surprises.

With only a quick turnaround before the next round, both the Warriors and Magic know they can’t take their foot off the gas. Play-In survivors have been known to make some noise, especially when they’re hot and hungry. For the Grizzlies and Hawks? The pressure just got cranked up—season on the line, no safety nets, win or go home.