Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors trailed the Memphis Grizzlies 108-95 with 8:23 remaining Monday night at Chase Center. Both teams were severely shorthanded. The Warriors remained without Stephen Curry while continuing to wait for Kristaps Porzingis to make his debut.
Memphis was playing without Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey following the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies clearly prioritizing their tank at this stage of the season, sat their best players down the stretch even as Golden State mounted a comeback.
The Warriors took full advantage. They held Memphis to just five points over the final 8:23 to complete a stunning 114-113 victory that improved their record to 29-25. Gui Santos delivered the game-winning layup with 19.4 seconds remaining, capping a furious rally and emerging as the unlikely hero of the night.
Warriors Lock Down Defensively to Complete Comeback
Gary Payton II Warriors-Kings NBA Playoffs
GetttyGolden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II.
Golden State allowed Memphis zero points over the final 4:13, closing the game on an 11-0 run. The defensive performance mirrored what the Warriors did against the Phoenix Suns earlier this month, when they held Phoenix to two points over the final 7:19 and finished on a 17-2 run.
The surge came with Draymond Green on the bench. Al Horford and Santos anchored the defense, with strong contributions from Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody.
That lineup combination has proven capable of shutting down opposing offenses in crunch time. The Warriors were one of the worst defensive teams in clutch situations for most of the season. But lineups featuring Santos, Horford, and some combination of Melton, Moody, Payton, and Podziemski have changed that narrative over the past week.
Whether Golden State can maintain this defensive intensity when Curry returns from his knee injury after the All-Star break remains uncertain. But if they can, these types of performances will keep their playoff hopes alive.
Horford Dominates in 39-Year-Old Performance
Al Horford
GettyAl Horford, Golden State Warriors.
Horford was the game’s most valuable player. He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and zero turnovers in 26 minutes. That final stat matters most given the Warriors’ struggles taking care of the ball.
Golden State committed 23 turnovers that led to 23 Memphis points. At times it seemed like every offensive possession would end in a giveaway, except when the ball went to Horford in the post.
The 39-year-old center wasn’t used as an offensive hub during his time with the Boston Celtics. He typically operated as a stretch five who shot threes and attacked closeouts. But Horford has shown over his first few games with the Warriors that he can still score on post-ups, which has been essential for Golden State’s offense.
Horford’s final contribution sealed the victory. With 26 seconds remaining, he missed a shot in the post. He missed a tip-in attempt but grabbed his own rebound. As his upper body hovered above the out-of-bounds line while falling to the floor, he found Santos behind the Memphis defense. Santos converted the layup with 19.4 seconds left to give the Warriors a 114-113 lead.
The Grizzlies had 19 seconds to answer but missed two shots. The Warriors secured the rebound and ran out the clock.
Green’s Turnover Problem Continues
GettyGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Green scored 14 points Monday night, largely thanks to strong outside shooting. But he also committed seven turnovers and finished with a team-worst minus-17 rating. The turnover issue has plagued him all season.
Green entered Monday’s game tied for ninth in the NBA in turnovers per 36 minutes. That’s a problematic rate for a player averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 assists per game. Elite scorers and primary creators earn some grace when they turn the ball over. Players with Green’s offensive output do not.
Without Curry on the floor to help bail him out, those mistakes become magnified. Green’s turnovers fueled Memphis runs that built the 17-point lead the Warriors had to overcome. The comeback happened largely with Green on the bench as lineups featuring Horford provided more stability.
Green needs to solve this problem. Otherwise, he risks becoming a negative-value player despite his defensive contributions and leadership.
Balanced Scoring Keeps Warriors Competitive
Pat Spencer led the Warriors with 17 points and seven assists. Santos finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a plus-11 rating on 7-of-10 shooting in 30 minutes. Horford and Podziemski each added 16 points. Moody contributed 15 points, doing most of his damage at the free-throw line. Green had 14 points, and Melton scored 10.
Six players in double figures shows the depth that has kept Golden State competitive despite constant injury problems. No single player carried the offense. Different players made key plays at crucial moments.
Former Warriors two-way guard Ty Jerome led Memphis with 19 points and seven assists. He finished with a plus-15 rating and appeared to be playing with extra motivation against his former team.
Jahmai Mashack added 17 points for the Grizzlies. Taylor Hendricks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each scored 15 off the bench. Scotty Pippen Jr. had 11 points, and Jaylen Wells contributed 10.
What’s Next for Warriors
Golden State improved to 29-25 and remains in eighth place in the Western Conference. The victory came on the first of two home games before the All-Star break. The Warriors host the San Antonio Spurs later this week before the extended midseason pause.
The comeback win provides momentum heading into the break. It also reinforces that this roster can compete through defensive intensity even when the offense sputters and turnovers pile up. The Warriors trailed by 17 points and found a way to win through stops and timely baskets.
Horford’s performance validates the Warriors’ decision to pair him with Santos in crunch-time lineups. His veteran presence, post scoring, and ability to protect the ball make him invaluable in close games. At 39 years old, he’s showing he has plenty left in the tank.
Santos continues emerging as a reliable contributor. His 16 points and game-winning layup show he can handle pressure situations. The confidence he’s gaining playing significant minutes without Curry could pay dividends when the roster is fully healthy.
The extended All-Star break gives Curry additional time to recover from runner’s knee. It also provides more opportunity for Porzingis to get cleared for his Warriors debut. Golden State desperately needs both players healthy for the final two months of the regular season.
But Monday night proved again that this roster has enough depth to win games when role players step up and the defense performs at an elite level. The Warriors won’t survive the playoff race relying solely on depth. However, nights like this keep them in position until the stars return and the team can compete at full strength.