We will still have to wait to witness the Warriors' rebound… The return of Draymond Green was not enough to revive a franchise in distress, even against the Grizzlies who were considerably weakened, but over-motivated by this MLK Day.
For three quarters, neither team clearly managed to gain the upper hand. The entry into play of Draymond Green gave the hoped-for boost to the Warriors, moving to +9 after two baskets from the inside as well as a 3-pointer from Andrew Wiggins (18-27). But Golden State never managed to get rid of Taylor Jenkins' armada of valiant soldiers, always eager to do well despite the absence of many executives.
Stephen Curry still lonely
There was the hot shot from GG Jackson with three 3-point baskets to equalize at 36-36, then the Roddy-Aldama-Jackson Jr trio to respond to a still very lonely Stephen Curry. Involved in the last ten points scored by his team before the break (54-56), the Warriors leader failed to get the ball rolling after the break. Worse, between Jaren Jackson, Ziaire Williams, and two 3-point baskets from Jacob Gilyard and David Roddy, Golden State remained more than ever under threat after three quarters (85-86).
What was hanging over the Warriors' noses ended up happening. In a sequence where they chained together good defenses while making the right choices in attack, the Grizzlies went on an 11-2 run marked by two 3-point baskets from GG Jackson and one from Luke Kennard to bring the score to 106 -96 in a euphoric FedEx Forum! This time, the deal was done, and despite two dunks from Jonathan Kuminga and a final 3-pointer from Stephen Curry, Memphis held on, winning 116-107 after four shots scored by GG Jackson and Luke Kennard.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The return of Draymond Green not paid. It's been a little over a month since the Warriors' veteran inside player last stepped on an NBA floor. His return from suspension was expected as Golden State seems to need an electric shock to move forward. Substitute, Draymond Green briefly embodied it when he came into play in the first quarter, before he too got bogged down like the rest of the team in the trap set by the Grizzlies, more aggressive and more inspired than their evening opponents.
– The emergence of new faces. The joy felt by the Grizzlies matched the difficulty of the context in which Taylor Jenkins' men are forced to operate at the moment, with the almost majority of their leaders in the infirmary. This success provided confirmation of the rise of GG Jackson, in line with his previous match, with a remarkable 5/8 from afar (23 points), or even Vince Williams Jr (24 points) but also a Jacob Gilyard (11 points at 3/4 at 3-points). Three illustrious unknowns, now holders.
