The Golden State Warriors’ second-round series seemed to be more hostile than most anticipated. The first four games of the series were dominated by headlines surrounding Gary Payton II’s injury caused by Dillon Brooks’ Flagrant 2 foul.
Then third-year guard Jordan Poole’s assumed dangerous play on Ja Morant loomed over the series, but that turned out to be a bone bruise for the star guard and virtually discredited the claim that Poole caused the injury.
The Golden State Warriors eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies in six games, and following the series, Dillon Brooks and Stephen Curry exchanged jabs.
Nonetheless, it was grittier than expected, but the Warriors still came out on top despite a 39-point Game 5 loss.
That doesn’t necessarily mean all was well following the series as guard Dillon Brooks, who scored 30 points in the series-ending loss, took a shot at the Warriors, noting that the Dubs are “getting old.”
That didn’t sit well with superstar guard Stephen Curry. Although technically true with Curry at 34 years old and the entire Big 3 certainly in the back half of their career, the two-time MVP decided to clap back.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick (subscription required) captioned Curry insinuating that Brooks is out of his mind with that comment, which, considering the Warriors sent the Grizzlies packing, makes sense.
Curry did help send the Grizzlies home for good with 29 points himself in Game 6. He had an overall impressive season and series, so while it is inevitable that he’s getting old, the Warriors are still among the final four teams standing, and well, the Grizzlies are not.
The future is bright in Memphis, but for the Warriors, it is as well as Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman will look to bring in the new era of the Dubs’ dynasty in the coming years. From what we’ve seen from the first two, the winnings ways seem bound to continue.
Now, the Warriors can press on with the Western Conference Finals to prepare for with two more series until they reign supreme atop the NBA once again.