Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at FedEX Forum in Memphis on Tue May 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Golden State Loses A Wild One To Memphis 106-101

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Warriors won a huge game against the Memphis Grizzlies on the road 117-116. Any win on the road in the playoffs is of major importance and tonight the Warriors tried to tack on another win in Memphis but just couldn’t hold on is a 106-101 loss on Tuesday night.

The Warriors went with the same lineup as Game One. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Gary Payton II took the court to start off this game,

The Grizzlies got off to a hot start leading 8-0 after three minutes. This game was a wild one from the get go. Dillon Brooks got tossed from the game with a flagrant 2 foul on Gary Payton II and minutes later Draymond Green headed to the locker room, a bloodied towel pressed to his face after being hit.

After the foul on Gary Payton II he also went to the locker room for x-rays on his left elbow. The Warriors were dropping like flies halfway through the first quarter in an incredibly physical game. With 3:28 left in the opening quarter Stephen Curry got roughed up a bit forcing him to the sidelines to wrap up a bloodied hand.

With 2:56 left in the first twelve minutes the Grizzlies held a 22-19 lead. Golden State was slow out of the gate to start the game and already had six turnovers in some sloppy play. Memphis led after one 33-25.

When Head Coach Steve Kerr was asked if this first quarter was as physical as he expected he was quick to respond. “That wasn’t physical,” he said, ” that was dirty.”

It was encouraging when Green was able to play the second quarter. He did have a gash on his face that required stitches. It was also announced that Payton was out for the remainder of the game.

At the half the Grizzlies held onto the lead 56-51. The Warriors were missing too many layups, too many shots from downtown going 4 of 19 and with far too many turnovers the Warriors had a lot to clean up in the second half.

The Warriors battled to a tie after three quarters 77 apiece and it was on. The Warriors took the lead in the fourth quarter and there would be many lead changes before this was all said and done. Critical turnovers and missed open shots and layups lost this game for the Warriors 106-101. They had some great rebounding but it was the missed shots that killed them. The Grizzlies would take Game Two 106-101.

It was a very tough night for Curry and Thompson from downtown. In fact this was the worst playoff performance of Thompson’s career. Neither Curry or Thompson had a great game. Thompson continues to struggle only putting up 12 points. Curry finished with 27 points. The Grizzlies Ja Morant had an incredible 47 point night. The Warriors will now have three days off to regroup, rest and heal.

We will hopefully know more about the status of Payton II tomorrow. The first report in was a fractured elbow. It is just a shame that Payton suffered this injury from Brooks a known dirty player. Right now it would appear that his season is finished but an MRI will give us a lot more information.

The Warriors will need better shot selection and tone down those turnovers in Game Three. Golden State will get their chance to clean things up on Saturday May 7th. Tipoff at Chase Center is scheduled for 5:30 PM.