In the first quarter of their clash against the Jazz on Monday (ET), the Warriors' Play-In berth had already been confirmed courtesy of the Pelicans' loss in Memphis from earlier in the gameday.
However, there was still plenty to play for. Given their slim lead over the Grizzlies for the eighth seed, Golden State needed to focus on defeating a Utah squad suiting up without its starting backcourt in Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr.
After plenty of back-and-forth action early on, the Warriors took control in the second quarter and began running away with it.
A spirited Jordan Clarkson led a fightback, scoring 24 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter to turn the game on its head.
🗣 SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR! 🗣#TakeNote | @jordanclarksons pic.twitter.com/0v3SKTRhfC
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 11, 2021
The Warriors went from holding their largest lead of 18 early in the fourth quarter to needing to scrap for the win late.
The Jazz eventually outscored the hosts 41-30 in the final period but Curry, the league's leading scorer, ensured the Warriors received enough from him late to seal the game. He scored or assisted on seven of the team's last 11 points including this clutch triple.
SC FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/SCSX6Ln6ev
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 11, 2021
The win gives the Warriors (36-33) a slim half-game lead over the Grizzlies (35-33), who still have a game in hand.
The key contest circled for Golden State will be their season-finale as they host Memphis, with the winner gaining the advantage of the tiebreaker if both teams were to finish with the same record.
More importantly, both teams are playing for the critical eighth seed. Whoever wins this race, gets two shots at sealing their playoff berth, whereas, finishing ninth will meaning needing to win two consecutive games to enter the postseason as the eighth seed.
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