The Golden State Warriors embarked on their brief road trip with a stumble, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-109. But they rebounded in spectacular fashion, dismantling the Memphis Grizzlies 133-112 on Wednesday night. And trust me, the scoreline doesn't fully capture the dominance.
Despite being on the road, dealing with back-to-back games, and missing key players like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III, De’Anthony Melton, and Kristaps Porziņģis, the Warriors showed up ready to play. Facing a Grizzlies squad focused on rebuilding after trading Jaren Jackson Jr., the Warriors' performance was nothing short of impressive.
Take a moment to consider the lineup: Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and Al Horford started, with a bench of Pat Spencer, Quinten Post, Gary Payton II, and Malevy Leons. Even with Ja Morant absent for Memphis, the Warriors put on a show.
From the get-go, the Warriors were energized, leading to some chaotic moments but mostly positive results. They jumped to an early 17-12 lead, prompting a Grizzlies timeout.
Steve Kerr used this break wisely, emphasizing ball control, which led to exceptional offensive execution. The Warriors' ball movement was a coach's dream, consistently finding open shots through relentless drives and kick-outs.
Memphis tried to close the gap, but Podziemski and Spencer kept the Warriors in control. GG Jackson's halfcourt buzzer-beater ended the first quarter on a high note for the Grizzlies, but the Warriors had already put up 34 points, allowing 31.
The second quarter saw the Warriors crank up their energy even further, while Memphis struggled to keep pace. It wasn't just hustle; the Warriors executed flawlessly, cutting through the defense and extending their lead to 24 points with a 14-0 run.
The young players played with joy and energy, while Horford anchored both ends of the court. By halftime, the Warriors were up 74-53, firmly in control.
The third quarter tested that control as Memphis found some momentum, and the Warriors' shooting went cold. Yet, despite the Grizzlies' efforts, the Warriors maintained their lead. Even when things got messy, they responded with deflections, cuts, and crucial rebounds, never letting Memphis truly threaten.
Richard was a standout in the second half, consistently disrupting Memphis' offense and scoring easy buckets. The Warriors entered the fourth quarter leading 96-76, and from there, they coasted to victory. Memphis had no fuel left, and the Warriors capitalized on transition opportunities.
The only suspense in the fourth was whether Malevy Leons would hit double figures. He came close, reaching nine points but missed two free throws. Still, his effort was commendable with eight rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors dominated the boards, outrebounding Memphis 56-39, and forced 16 turnovers. They outscored the Grizzlies 58-44 in the paint and 17-13 in transition. Of their 49 baskets, 37 were assisted.
Richard led with 21 points, while Spencer flirted with a double-double, and Podziemski nearly achieved a triple-double. Post and Horford were solid in the paint, contributing significantly on both ends. Despite missing out on double figures, Leons made a notable impact in limited minutes.
With this win, the Warriors improved to 31-28, closing in on the Phoenix Suns and extending their lead over the Portland Trail Blazers and LA Clippers. They now enjoy a couple of days off before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.