Scottie Scheffler Makes an NBA Finals Joke About Mavs While Eyeing Victory at Memorial originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Scottie Scheffler is on the brink of another PGA Tour victory after a brilliant bogey-free round in the third round of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. The world No. 1 shot a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday, jumping from three shots behind to take a one-stroke lead at eight under overall. If he wins on Sunday, it’ll be his third win in his last four events, another sign of how dominant the 28-year-old has become.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
He closed strong with birdies on the 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes, pulling away from Ben Griffin, who settled for an even-par 72.
After his round, Scheffler spoke to the media and shared just how tough it was out there. “I was definitely proud of the way I finished, and it was really challenging,” he said, per BBC. “Around this golf course, even par, I think, today would have been a pretty solid score.”
Scottie Scheffler reacts after sinking his putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Course on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio.Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Scottie Scheffler reacts after sinking his putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Course on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio.Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Despite his solid play, he believed it could have been even better.
“Just a couple lips here and there would have changed the score a little bit,” he said.
Then came a lighter moment. Scheffler was asked about the NBA Finals, and his response was as dry as it was funny: “No, not since the Mavs didn't make it.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
When asked who he wanted to win, he said, “The Mavericks.” Then with a smile, he added, “You’ll have to wait a while.” It’s true, Dallas missed the playoffs after stunningly trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers at midseason, leaving teams like the Nuggets, Celtics and Heat to battle for the title.
As for the final round of the Memorial, Scheffler leads Griffin by one shot and Canada’s Nick Taylor by three. Taylor knows he has a mountain to climb.
“I’ll be trying to chase him down,” he said of Scheffler. “He’s obviously playing phenomenal.”
Scheffler’s steady game and late-round flair could make Sunday a formality.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.