Three Stars
The three stars in ice hockey are the three best players in a game, with the “first star” considered the best of the three players, similar to the player of the match in other sports. Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games.
First ⭐️
Jimmy Butler III scored a game-high 38 points as the Golden State Warriors claimed the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 121-116 Play-In Tournament win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Butler III shot 12-20 from the field (2-4 on 3-pointers) and 12-18 from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds, six assists, and a game-high three steals (tied with Draymond Green) in 40 minutes of playing time.
Second ⭐️
Stephen Curry scored 37 points in the Warriors’ win over the Grizzlies. Curry went 9-22 from the floor (6-13 on threes) and sank all 13 of his free throw attempts. He also recorded a team-high eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal, committing just one turnover and no personal fouls in 39 minutes of action.
Third ⭐️
Cole Anthony came off the bench to score a team-high 26 points to lead the Orlando Magic in a 120-95 rout of the Atlanta Hawks in a Play-In Tournament Game, clinching the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Anthony shot 10-17 from the field, hitting four of his nine 3-point attempts. He also dished out six assists and was not charged with a turnover in 20 minutes played.
Milestones
Butler III and Curry became the first teammates to each score at least 35 points in the same Play-In Tournament game.
The Magic’s Anthony Black posted a rating of plus-34 points, the highest plus-minus ever recorded in a Play-In-Tournament game. He tallied 16 points (6-7 field goals), four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in 28 turnover-free minutes.
Grizzlies center Zach Edey pulled down 17 rebounds, by far the most ever by a rookie in a Play-In -Tournament game. The previous mark of eight was shared by Evan Mobley, Jaylin Williams, and Brandin Podziemski.
Streaking
The Hawks’ Trae Young (28 points) has scored at least 20 points in each of his five Play-In Tournament games. He’s averaging 27.4 PPG and 8.6 APG in those contests, but has shot just 41.0% from the field and 25.6% from 3-point range.
Curry has scored at least 20 points in all four of his Play-In Tournament games. He’s averaging 33.8 PPG on 47.2/47.7/96.8 shooting splits in those contests.
Miscellany
Butler III was the night’s leading scorer, netting 38 points. He was followed by Curry with 37 points, the Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane with 30, the Hawks’ Trae Young with 28, and Anthony with 26.
Edey was the top board man, hauling in 17 rebounds last night. The Magic’s Franz Wagner ranked second with 13 boards, while the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels placed third with 12.
The Warriors’ Draymond Green was the only player to deliver double-digit dimes last night, handing out 10 assists. The Magic’s Paolo Banchero and Daniels tied for second place with seven helpers apiece.
The Golden State Warriors won their first Play-In Tournament game in four tries. They previously lost two Play-In Tournament games in the 2020-21 campaign and one last season.