The Memphis Grizzlies had this one in their hands. Up by as many as 17 points on the road, controlling the pace, dictating the terms - and yet, when the final buzzer sounded at Chase Center, it was the Golden State Warriors walking off with a 114-113 win. Memphis scored just five points over the final 8:23, while the Warriors closed on an 11-0 run to snatch a game that, for three quarters, looked like it belonged to the Grizzlies.
Let’s be clear: Memphis didn’t just come out swinging - they came out executing. The ball movement was crisp, the paint touches were frequent, and defensively, they kept Golden State off balance early.
The Grizzlies weren’t just playing hard; they were playing smart. They controlled the tempo, stayed disciplined in their sets, and got contributions up and down the roster.
But basketball games aren’t won in the first 36 minutes. And in the fourth quarter, the game flipped.
Golden State turned up the pressure, both literally and figuratively. They crowded driving lanes, forced Memphis deeper into the shot clock, and suddenly, the clean looks that had come so easily earlier in the night were nowhere to be found.
From the 4:17 mark on, Memphis didn’t hit a single field goal. That’s not just a cold spell - that’s a full-on freeze at the worst possible time.
Meanwhile, the Warriors didn’t need to go nuclear to close the gap. They chipped away possession by possession, getting stops, cleaning the glass, and making just enough plays to stay within striking distance.
The dagger came with 19.4 seconds left, when Gui Santos muscled in a layup through traffic to give Golden State its first lead of the fourth quarter. Memphis had a shot to win it on the final possession, but the look didn’t fall.
Game over.
There were still bright spots for the Grizzlies. Ty Jerome led the way with 19 points and seven assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and keeping things steady for most of the night.
Jahmai Mashack turned in a career-high 17 points and brought energy on both ends, helping Memphis set the tone early. And the bench?
They were outstanding - 68 points total, the most Golden State has allowed to opposing reserves all season.
But the numbers also tell the story of what went wrong. Memphis was outscored 29-15 in the fourth quarter.
They went scoreless from the field in the final four-plus minutes. And when it mattered most, the execution slipped - the spacing tightened, the decisions got rushed, and the composure that had carried them through three quarters seemed to vanish.
This isn’t a new theme for Memphis. Even with a rotation in flux due to injuries and lineup changes, they’ve stayed competitive.
But closing games - especially with a lead - has been a recurring challenge. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo has pointed to spacing, decision-making, and finishing possessions as key areas of focus.
This game was a clear example of why.
Because this one was there for the taking. Memphis had the game in their grasp.
They won the bench battle, defended well, and led for most of the night. But in the final minutes, the edge disappeared - and so did the win.
Now, the Grizzlies turn their attention to Denver, where they’ll face the defending champion Nuggets on Wednesday night. It’s another tough test, and another opportunity for this group to show they can finish what they start.