After a nail-biting 126-121 victory for the Golden State Warriors against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Play-In Tournament, Jimmy Butler once again expressed immense admiration for Stephen Curry.

“He`s a Batman if I`ve ever seen one,” Butler remarked to TNT after the game, which secured the Warriors the No. 7 seed in the playoff bracket.

Curry truly seems to exist on a plane somewhere between human and basketball deity. He scored 37 points, with 15 of those coming in the crucial fourth quarter, including two clutch three-pointers in the final minutes of a tight game.

However, Butler is far from a sidekick. The Warriors boast not one, but two leading figures. It`s this dynamic duo that not only propels them into a first-round matchup against the second-seeded Houston Rockets but also establishes them as a legitimate contender against any team in the playoffs.

Butler was exceptional from the start on Tuesday, contributing 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. While his characteristic patience was evident, he also unleashed a more aggressive style of play, a version everyone anticipated seeing from him in Golden State.

Throughout the night, Butler relentlessly attacked the basket, focusing on scoring and drawing fouls rather than just passing. He earned 18 free throws, injecting vital energy into a Warriors offense that sometimes struggles with stagnation.

Playoff Jimmy is undeniably here, as evidenced by his and Curry`s combined 75 points. This level of effort just to win a play-in game is significant and indicates tougher challenges ahead. While some might dismiss the Rockets` scoring ability, they are a formidable defensive team with capable offensive players. Curry is likely already anticipating a challenging series against Houston, particularly against a defender like Amen Thompson.

Despite being favored to defeat Memphis, the Warriors barely managed to win, even with Ja Morant`s injury. FanDuel has the Warriors as favorites against the Rockets, but this series is unlikely to be a walkover. The Warriors might prevail, but it will likely require continued heroic performances from both Butler and Curry, and even then, victory is not guaranteed.

Nevertheless, the Warriors accomplished their immediate goal: securing a playoff spot and likely the preferred first-round matchup. They are also positioned on the opposite side of the bracket from the Oklahoma City Thunder, considered by many to be the top team in the West.

While the Warriors remain underdogs to reach the conference finals or the NBA Finals, their path to success is clear. The playoff bracket has unfolded favorably, and it`s evident that Butler, Curry, and Draymond Green are ready for the biggest challenges, especially with the improved contributions from Golden State`s young players.

Get ready for an intense and unpredictable Western Conference playoff journey.