Memphis, Tennessee — In a record-breaking performance, Santi Aldama shined with 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies dominated the Golden State Warriors, finishing the game with a stunning score of 144-93. This victory marked the largest margin of victory in the NBA for the current season and set a new franchise benchmark with 27 three-pointers made in the game.
The Warriors faced significant struggles, particularly with Stephen Curry, who was unable to make a successful field goal, ending the night with just two points. This defeat represents their most significant loss since a prior game where they were defeated 140-88 by Boston last season. Dennis Schroder, the recently added point guard, had a challenging debut, managing only five points from a disappointing 2-of-12 shooting performance.
For Memphis, Jake LaRavia contributed 19 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17. Aldama and Luke Kennard showcased their shooting skills by sinking five three-pointers each, playing a critical role in the Grizzlies’ offense. On the Warriors’ side, Brandin Podziemski was notable with 21 points, and Andrew Wiggins provided support with 19 points as well, but the team has now suffered eight losses in their last ten games.
The key takeaway for the Warriors was the dismal shooting performance from Schroder and Curry, who combined to shoot just 2 for 19, with both missing all ten attempts from three-point range. Curry’s shooting woes saw him finish 0 for 6 from beyond the arc and 0 for 7 overall, managing only two points from free throws.
As for the Grizzlies, this game surpassed their previous record of 25 three-pointers made against Houston in 2023. A moment of note for Curry during the game came when he made a steal, which marked the 1,500th of his career. He is now one of five NBA players in history to achieve over 24,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 1,500 steals alongside legends like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
Statistically, Memphis had an exceptional first half, shooting at 51% from the field and making 12 out of 25 three-pointers, in contrast to the Warriors’ struggle with only 23% shooting overall and 7 of 24 from three. This disparity led to a commanding 69-38 halftime lead for the Grizzlies, who ended the game with an impressive 27 of 48 shooting from beyond the arc, achieving 56.3% success.
Looking ahead, the Golden State Warriors are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, while the Grizzlies will take on the Atlanta Hawks the same evening.
