Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler played best game by a duo in NBA history to win play-in

Billy Heyen

Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler played best game by a duo in NBA history to win play-in image

It's safe to say the Jimmy Butler trade at the deadline was the right move by the Golden State Warriors.

Teaming with Stephen Curry, Butler has put on his playoff cape, and after a play-in win on Tuesday night, they look like they'll be dangerous in the first round against the Rockets.

In the process of beating the Grizzlies in the 7-8 game, Curry and Butler put up what might be the legitimate best game by a pair of teammates in the history of the NBA, regular season or postseason.

Curry finished with 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal on 9-for-22 shooting, 6-for-13 from 3 and 13-for-13 from the foul line.

Butler had 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals on 12-for-20 shooting, 2-for-4 from 3 and 12-of-18 from the foul line.

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It's the first time in NBA history that players have reached these thresholds as teammates in the same game at any stage of the NBA season, per Opta Stats:

  • 75 points
  • 25 free throws made
  • 15 rebounds
  • 10 assists
  • 5 3-pointers
  • 4 steals

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The efficiency was the only thing a little lacking for Golden State's stars, but they were always going to have to work hard for their shots against a scrappy, inspired Grizzlies team.

Curry and Butler showed how they can carry the Warriors to victory.

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Maybe they'll need a little bit of help here and there. But these are two of the greatest playoff performers of all time. 

The Warriors look like they'll be a tough out, especially if Curry and Butler keep producing at an unprecedented level.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle