PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jimmy Butler III scored 24 points and the Golden State Warriors routed the Portland Trail Blazers 103-86 on Friday night, but did not clinch a playoff spot with one game remaining.
Because Minnesota beat Brooklyn 117-91, the Warriors will have to wait until Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Clippers to learn their postseason fate in the tight Western Conference.
Stephen Curry added 14 points for Golden State, which led by as many as 27 points.
Jabari Walker scored 19 points to lead the Blazers, who were already eliminated from the postseason. The team did better than expected with the development of young stars Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara.
The Blazers led by 20-14 in the opening quarter, but the Warriors went up 21-10 on Buddy Hield’s 3-pointer. Curry’s 3 extended the lead to 38-27 and the Blazers never threatened.