The Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga goes up for the rebound against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half at the FexEx Forum in Memphis on Fri Feb 3, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Friday night the Golden State Warriors (21-24) handed the struggling Memphis Grizzlies (18-31) another loss 121-101. Jonathan Kuminga continued on with another outstanding offensive display finishing with 29 points which was the team high. Stephen Curry shot for 20 points and was 4 of 9 from downtown.
Game recap: The Grizzlies put up quite a fight in the opening quarter of play. After the first 12 minutes the Warriors had a slim 24-23 lead. Golden State got rolling in the second quarter winning it 33-24 and leading at the half 57-47.The Warriors had extended their lead but the Grizzlies were still hanging around.
The Warriors won the third quarter 28-26 but again another close quarter. Golden State took an 85-73 lead into the fourth quarter. The Warriors poured it on in the final quarter of play winning it 36-28 and the game 121-101. Golden State had handed the Grizzlies their fourth loss in a row.
The high score for the Warriors was Jonathan Kuminga who finished with 29 points and six rebounds. Once again Kuminga proved hands down that he is a starter. This is the eighth straight game that he has shot twenty plus points.
With Memphis all over Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Kuminga took charge shooting lights out. Curry had 20 points and bench player Brandin Podziemski was outstanding with 14 assists and 12 points with 7 rebounds.
This was a great way for the Warriors to start this five game road trip. Golden State had lost four of six games coming into this one so this was the perfect start to this road trip since the Warriors have not been playing particularly well at home or away.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led his team with 27 points and Jacob Gilyard scored a career-high 16 points. Once again the Grizzlies hung around through three quarters only to lose it in the fourth quarter. Memphis has been having a lot of trouble closing out games.
The Warriors had a double digit lead in the late third quarter and took it away in the final quarter. Once again the Grizzlies failed to finish this game.
Post game notes: Friday night the Warriors headed out on the road taking on the struggling Grizzlies. The Warriors are coming off a solid win over the Philadelphia 76ers 119-107 last Tuesday night. The Grizzlies have now lost four games in a row, they’re loss to Golden State on Friday and a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-101 on Wednesday.
The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant and are struggling although they do have a terrific player in Jared Jackson Jr. Memphis did beat the Warriors in mid-January 116-107 and couldn’t get a win in the second game against Golden State.
The Warriors will now zip off to Atlanta for a date with Trae Young and the Hawks Saturday night. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.










