The Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors in a critical matchup as they vie for a playoff position. Currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference with a 35-43 record, the Suns must win at least three of their final four games to keep their hopes alive for the last play-in spot. Complicating matters, they will be without star Kevin Durant, who continues to recover from an ankle sprain, making their task even more daunting.

The Warriors, with a record of 46-32, find themselves in a tight race for playoff seeding, tied with several teams for the 5th through 8th positions. This game marks the first meeting between the teams since the Suns failed to acquire Jimmy Butler during the recent trade talks, adding extra intrigue to the matchup.

In a recent post-game interview, Jimmy Butler expressed his frustration over the lack of protection that Stephen Curry receives from officials during games. Following the Golden State Warriors' loss to the Houston Rockets, Butler emphasized that Curry is frequently fouled without receiving the free-throw calls he deserves, asserting that it has been a constant issue throughout Curry's long career.

Butler's remarks highlighted that Curry has drawn fouls on only 8.2% of his shot attempts this season, ranking him in the 46th percentile in the league. Given Curry's reputation and the defensive focus opposing teams place on him, this statistic seems surprisingly low. Despite these challenges, both Butler and observers remain confident in Curry's ability to adapt and continue being a top scorer in the NBA.

In a thrilling clash that felt like a playoff preview, Steph Curry's electrifying 52-point performance propelled the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 134-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Curry set the tone from the outset, scoring 19 points in the first quarter with five three-pointers, leading the Warriors to a strong start. Despite a resilient effort from Ja Morant and the Grizzlies, who fought back throughout the game, Curry's scoring prowess shone through. He finished with 12 made threes, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, showcasing his all-around game.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams trading leads and entering the fourth quarter tied. Down the stretch, key contributions came from Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and the rising stars Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, sealing the win for Golden State. This victory elevates the Warriors to the fifth seed in the Western Conference, giving them the edge over the Grizzlies in the playoff race.