Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies was decided by the slimmest of margins. A 117-116 victory is still a victory — but the Dubs will want to stretch their lead moving forward in the series.
This opening game all hinged on a last-second layup attempt from Ja Morant. With fewer than four seconds to play, the Grizzlies ran an out-of-bounds play to get Morant full-steam ahead to the basket.
This rushed attempt smacked straight off the backboard as Gary Payton and Klay Thompson did their best to thwart Morant from getting a clean look.
But… how they got to this point is the important takeaway. The Grizzlies had little time to draw up a play with many other options. Had there been more time on the clock, Morant might have passed the ball or taken more time to collect himself rather than scooping a shot as quickly as possible.
This is where GP2’s impact truly shined.
Gary Payton II’s relentless pursuit of the ball might have been the hidden reason for the Golden State Warriors’ Game 1 victory.
The Warriors had a chance to extend their lead to three points with Klay at the line. When the Splash Brother shockingly missed both free throws, it was Payton who lunged in for the rebound — tapping the ball and forcing a peculiar jump-ball situation.
Take this into account. Had the Grizzlies properly boxed out and snagged the missed foul shot, immediately calling timeout, they would have had roughly six seconds to draw up a final play.
Instead, with a scramble for the loose ball and the subsequent jump ball to determine possession, the Grizzlies’ time to score was essentially cut in half.
In a game determined by one basket, this hustle from Payton is something that could have directly saved the day.
And, it wasn’t his only big play of the day.
GP2 did what he has been doing all season long. Timely cuts to the basket, snagging key rebounds and playing devastating perimeter defense. Payton finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds — serving as the Warriors’ hidden hero of the night.