The Golden State Warriors returned to action on Friday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 123-118, three nights after defeating Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks in an emotional and exciting game.
The Dubs employed a balanced attack to build a seven-point lead into halftime and hung on for the five-point win, moving to 10-2 on the season, despite Stephen Curry’s slow start. He didn’t register a field goal until he drained a three-pointer with 2:40 left in the second quarter.
With two games left in group play—road games against the Denver Nuggets (Dec. 3) and the New Orleans Pelicans (Nov. 22)—Golden State also increased to 2-0 in the Emirates NBA Cup, leading West Group C.
In the end, Curry only managed 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting in Friday night’s game against Memphis, but his teammates made up for it, with five other Warriors scoring in double figures.
Buddy Hield maintained his excellent play this season, leading Golden State with 18 points while shooting 4 for 8 from three-point range and 7 for 15 from the field. Starting players Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green each scored 13 points, while Moses Moody (14) and Brandin Podziemski (11) scored 25 points off the bench.
Lindy Waters III replaced De’Anthony Melton as the starting shooting guard since Melton will be sidelined for some time due to a sprained ACL.
Kerr’s decision was rather unexpected because Waters had not played a single second against the Mavericks or the Oklahoma City Thunder, with his final game being Golden State’s defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Waters, however, got off to a great start, scoring eight points in 11 minutes and providing the Warriors with their first five points while making three of four of his field goals. However, he hit the deck and was taken out of the game after blocking a shot with less than two minutes left in the first half. Waters never came back after being diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee.
The Grizzles were led by Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 32 points on 11 of 20 shots.
