MEMPHIS โย The Golden State Warriors started out their short two-game road trip in disappointing fashion, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-109 on Tuesday night. But they reboundedโliterally and figurativelyโin emphatic fashion on Wednesday night, crushing the Memphis Grizzliesย 133-112ย in a game that wasn’t as close as the not-at-all close score might suggest .
ย A Shorthanded Statement
It is, admittedly, what the Warriors probably felt they were supposed to do. Even on the road, even on the back end of a back-to-back, and even playing withoutย Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III, De’Anthony Melton, and Kristaps Porziลฤฃis, the Warriors surely felt they should beat a Grizzlies team that is actively making no attempt to win games after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline and gearing up for a rebuild .
But that didn’t make the effort any less impressive, especially considering just how shorthanded the team was. Just look at those names again: Curry! Green! Butler! Melton! Porziลฤฃis! That’s a whole lot of talent missing for the Dubs .
ย Depth Chart Delivers
The Warriors started:
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Brandin Podziemski
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Will Richard
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Moses Moody
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Gui Santos
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Al Horford
The bench brought just four playersโPat Spencer, Quinten Post, Gary Payton II, and two-way contract Malevy Leons .
Though the Grizzlies were, admittedly, without Ja Morant, among others, the battle of the injured vs. the tanking commenced with endless energy from both sides .
ย Energy and Execution
The Warriors were flying around the court, which led to a fair amount of sloppiness but resulted in more good than bad. They took an earlyย 17-12 leadย that forced a Grizzlies timeout .
Steve Kerr used that timeout to pound a little ball control into the team’s approach, and the message clearly resonated. The Warriors maintained their intensity throughout, turning a competitive start into a dominant wire-to-wire victory .
ย What It Means
For a team missing its entire core, Wednesday’s performance was a testament to Golden State’s organizational depth and Kerr’s ability to keep players prepared regardless of circumstances. The win provides momentum as the Warriors look ahead to healthier days and a playoff push .
