In a tense and physical NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors edged out the Memphis Grizzlies, 123-118, despite a dramatic late ejection of Draymond Green.
The veteran forward put up a solid stat line, recording 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists before his emotional outburst resulted in two technical fouls within a span of 33 seconds. His departure didn’t deter the Warriors, as they held off Memphis to secure a hard-fought victory.
Stephen Curry, who has been on a scoring tear with back-to-back 36 and 37-point performances, found himself off to a slow start but finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Curry’s shooting wasn’t as sharp as in previous games—he shot 4-for-9 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three—but his presence was still felt as he contributed in other areas. Curry’s efforts, combined with key contributions from Buddy Hield (18 points) and Moses Moody (14 points), proved to be enough for the Warriors to get the win.
The Grizzlies, led by a brilliant 32-point performance from Jaren Jackson Jr., mounted a strong challenge but ultimately fell short. Jackson was dominant on both ends of the floor, contributing not just as a scorer but as a defensive anchor. Despite Jackson’s efforts, Memphis couldn’t keep up with Golden State’s depth and timely execution in the final minutes. The Grizzlies have shown that they are a tough team to beat, especially with Jackson leading the charge, but their bench depth still remains a work in progress.
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Golden State’s victory came in a game that was both chippy and tightly contested. The referees were busy with calls throughout the evening, and one pivotal moment came when Green was initially called for a foul with 1:40 remaining in the second quarter. Jake LaRavia appeared to hit Green in the face, and the Warriors successfully challenged the foul, leading to an overturned call and a foul on LaRavia instead. That moment of reprieve for Green was short-lived, as his fiery demeanor would lead to the late ejection, but it highlighted the physicality of the game.
For the Grizzlies, the absence of star guard Ja Morant continues to loom large. Morant has begun on-court shooting work as he works his way back from injury. He’s scheduled for imaging on his hip and pelvis next week, which could provide clarity on when he might return to the lineup. Coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged that Morant is itching to return, but for now, Memphis will need to rely on their depth and strong play from Jackson to stay competitive.
Green’s ejection aside, the Warriors still managed to find a way to get the job done in the second half. While Curry didn’t get off to a blazing start, he heated up in the second half, and his shooting was crucial in the Warriors’ bid to stave off Memphis’ comeback attempts. The Warriors’ depth—particularly from Hield, Moody, and a solid showing from Lindy Waters III—was the difference as Golden State maintained their slim lead down the stretch.
Waters’ injury, which occurred after a block with just under two minutes to go in the second quarter, was another setback for Golden State. Waters didn’t return after suffering a hyperextended left knee, and his absence was noted as the Warriors’ rotation took another hit. However, with Green still playing at a high level and Curry’s leadership, the Warriors managed to withstand the challenge from Memphis.
In the first half, Golden State weathered Memphis’ initial surge. The Grizzlies jumped out to an early lead, but the Warriors clawed back with an explosive third quarter that proved pivotal. Golden State outscored Memphis by 10 points in the period, gaining control of the game and setting up a crucial fourth-quarter battle. Curry’s timely 3-pointer near the end of the third quarter helped solidify the Warriors’ momentum going into the final 12 minutes.
The Grizzlies mounted a comeback in the final minutes, pulling within striking distance. But with Green’s absence and Curry providing steady leadership, Golden State was able to hold Memphis off. The Warriors’ ability to make key stops and convert crucial possessions in the closing minutes—particularly with Green’s fiery attitude fueling the team in the earlier moments—was the difference in the game.
Despite their loss, Memphis continues to show resilience, particularly from Jackson. The Grizzlies’ struggles without Morant have been well-documented, but Jackson’s all-around game remains a bright spot. If the Grizzlies can continue to develop their bench depth and get stronger performances from their role players, they remain a dangerous team in the Western Conference.
The key takeaway from this game for Golden State is the continued excellence of their depth, even without a fully engaged Curry early in the game. Green’s ejection, while a disruption, did not derail the Warriors’ mission, as they closed out the game with poise. For Memphis, Jackson’s strong performance wasn’t enough to overcome a tough Warriors team, but they showed they can compete at a high level, even without their star point guard.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies will host Denver on Sunday and Tuesday, looking to bounce back and get their season back on track. Meanwhile, Golden State heads to Los Angeles to face the Clippers, hoping to break a four-game losing streak in the series. The Warriors will need to adjust to the injury to Waters and maintain their momentum as they continue to work towards defending their NBA Cup title.
As both teams continue their NBA Cup journeys, the physicality and depth on display in this matchup was a testament to the grit and determination that both franchises bring to the table. For Golden State, they will take the win but will need to assess the injuries and manage their depth moving forward. For Memphis, they remain hopeful that Morant’s return will propel them back to full strength.
