The Golden State Warriors’ Historic Loss: Breaking Down the Wreckage

Memphis, Tennessee is renowned for its incredible barbecue. The city’s slow-roasted pork is legendary, often cooked in giant pits made from—what else?—bricks. Well, in Thursday night’s 144-93 rout, the Golden State Warriors provided the equivalent of a massive pile of bricks on the court. In total, they missed 58 shots, and that number would’ve been even worse had both teams not emptied their benches early. Let’s dive into the wreckage, shall we?

Golden State’s Star Players: A Night to Forget

Steph Curry, one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history, endured his worst performance in years. For the first time in his career, Curry played more than 10 minutes without hitting a single field goal. His lone points came from free throws. Draymond Green, a cornerstone of the Warriors’ defense and playmaking, also had a nightmare outing. He finished with zero points, zero assists, and an appalling -42 plus/minus, the worst such mark for anyone playing fewer than 20 minutes.

Steph Curry’s Silence

When the game started, the Warriors’ hopes for a quick start were dashed early. Curry found himself matched up against Zach Edey, a massive presence in the paint. Normally, Curry could work his magic against slower defenders, but Edey blocked Curry’s shot with ease, signaling that this would not be a normal game for Golden State.

Draymond Green, typically the heartbeat of the Warriors’ defense, couldn’t get out of his own way. Between four personal fouls, four turnovers, and a delay of game call, Green’s contributions were limited to frustration. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that Green’s -42 plus/minus was the worst ever for a player in under 20 minutes of play. That’s not a stat anyone wants next to their name.

The Struggles Mount: Warriors Can’t Find Their Rhythm

In the first quarter, Golden State’s offense was completely out of sync. Only four field goals in the opening 12 minutes, paired with eight turnovers, made it clear this wouldn’t be a walk in the park. The Grizzlies came out hot, led by Santi Aldama, who closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to put Memphis up 37-15.

But things didn’t improve in the second quarter. Draymond Green picked up two quick fouls, forcing coach Steve Kerr to turn to his bench early. Kyle Anderson replaced Green and immediately fouled Jaren Jackson Jr.. Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia went off for two quick three-pointers, ballooning Memphis’ lead to 28 points.

Despite the Grizzlies’ scoring explosion, Andrew Wiggins stood as the Warriors’ lone offensive bright spot. He hit 4-of-5 threes, scoring 19 points on 11 shots. However, his contribution wasn’t enough. The Warriors’ overall shooting percentage was dismal—hovering around 24.4% by halftime. The Warriors’ shooting woes and turnover issues were evident, with 12 different players getting minutes in the first 12 minutes of the game as Kerr searched for any semblance of offensive production.

Memphis’ Explosive Three-Point Shooting: A Historic Performance

The Grizzlies’ offense, however, was firing on all cylinders. Memphis made 27 three-pointers in the game, just one shy of the single-game NBA record. What made their shooting even more impressive was the teamwork. A staggering 11 different Grizzlies made at least one three-pointer. The Warriors couldn’t stop the bleeding, unable to contest shots or close out on shooters.

• Jaren Jackson Jr. was everywhere, finishing with three blocks and contributing to Memphis’ defense.
• John Konchar, Luke Kennard, and Cam Spencer—the Grizzlies’ reserve players—continued the barrage.
• Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, although not in peak form, were able to direct traffic and find open shooters, keeping the Warriors on their heels.

The Grizzlies’ shot 54% from the floor, while the Warriors shot an abysmal 24.4% through three quarters. Memphis’ offense flowed smoothly while Golden State looked lost.

Golden State’s White Flag: Kerr Calls for Bench Minutes Early

By the third quarter, Golden State was down 96-50—an embarrassing margin for a championship contender. Steve Kerr waved the white flag, inserting his bench players with over 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Memphis’ reserves didn’t let up, and their lead only grew.

• Guido Santos, Kuminga, and Schroder did what they could, but Memphis’ second unit looked more like a college team from a smaller conference, easily outpacing the Warriors’ backup players.
• Memphis almost matched the NBA single-game record for three-pointers with 27, falling just short, but they didn’t push for the record.

Rebounding: A Complete Mismatch

One of the most shocking statistics of the night was the rebounding disparity. The Grizzlies dominated the glass, finishing with a 60-36 rebound advantage. The Warriors, a team with historically good defensive rebounding, had no answer for Memphis’ size and tenacity. They couldn’t get stops, and when they did, they failed to secure the board. Kevon Looney, a typically reliable rebounder, could not get into a rhythm, and Green’s foul trouble contributed to this massive gap.

What’s Next for Golden State?

After such a humbling loss, the Warriors need to regroup, especially as they face tougher competition later in the season. Here are some takeaways:

• Defensive Improvements: The Warriors’ perimeter defense was atrocious. Giving up 27 three-pointers and allowing 54% shooting is unacceptable for a team with Draymond Green on the roster. Golden State needs to figure out how to contest shots better and close out on shooters.
• Offensive Chemistry: Curry and Green need to get back to their usual form. Curry needs to rediscover his rhythm, and Green must avoid foul trouble to contribute defensively and offensively.
• Bench Contributions: The Warriors’ bench needs to step up. Players like Jonathan Kuminga and Dennis Schroder will need to play more consistently if Golden State is to stay competitive in the West.

FAQ:

Q1: How did the Warriors’ shooting compare to Memphis’?

• The Warriors shot just 24.4% from the floor, while Memphis shot an impressive 54%.

Q2: How many three-pointers did the Grizzlies make?

• Memphis hit 27 three-pointers, just shy of tying the single-game NBA record.

Q3: What was the key to the Grizzlies’ victory?

• The Grizzlies’ explosive three-point shooting and dominance on the boards (60-36 rebound edge) were the major factors in the blowout win.

Q4: When did Steve Kerr pull his starters?

• Steve Kerr pulled his starters with over 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter, after the Warriors found themselves down by 46 points.