SAN FRANCISCO — In a thrilling clash on Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors managed to secure a 121-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies despite being short-handed. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 24 points, while Dennis Schroder contributed 17 points in this intense matchup between the two rivals.
Joining Wiggins off the bench was Lindy Waters III, who made a significant impact by scoring 16 points and sinking four 3-pointers. The Warriors were without star player Stephen Curry and also missed guards Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II due to various injuries.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane were the standout performers for Memphis, scoring 23 and 22 points respectively; Bane also recorded ten assists as the team concluded their challenging five-game road trip.
As is customary with these two teams, physicality was at the forefront, escalating tensions early in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green received a flagrant 1 foul for a foul on Zach Edey just 36 seconds into the period and later picked up his eighth technical foul of the season.
Rising star Jaylen Wells struggled for Memphis, scoring only eight points after an outstanding 30-point performance the previous game where he hit eight three-pointers against the Sacramento Kings.
Looking at keynotes from the game, Memphis dealt with missed opportunities, as Wells could not connect on any of his five attempts from beyond the arc. Additionally, Ja Morant was absent for the fourth consecutive game, with hopes that he will resume on-court activities soon as he recovers from a right AC joint strain.
On the Warriors’ side, Curry’s absence was part of a planned rest for his knees as they manage his recovery. Podziemski missed his third straight game due to abdominal tightness, while Payton is progressing from a calf strain sustained during a Christmas Day game against the Lakers. He has been cleared for individual workouts and will be assessed again next week.
A crucial moment came in the third quarter when Wiggins scored seven consecutive points, topping off his sequence with a four-point play that widened Golden State’s lead to 81-71. His performance included two electrifying dunks in the final minutes of the game.
Statistically, Schroder was noteworthy, recording nine assists, contributing to the team’s total of 32 assists during the match.
Next on the schedule, the Grizzlies will return home to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Warriors will continue their six-game homestand against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
