Klay Thompson rips Dillon Brooks as Golden State Warriors-Memphis Grizzlies rivalry heats up

It’s developing into one of the most intriguing rivalries in the league — the young, hungry and brash Memphis Grizzlies against the proven, experienced and savvy Golden State Warriors.

Memphis entered the highly-anticipated Christmas Day matchup as heavy favourites, largely thanks to their superior record and form, along with the absence of Warriors’ stars Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins.

An undermanned Golden State Warriors displayed their pride in preventing the Memphis Grizzlies from running amok at Chase Center on Christmas Day.

The two teams went to battle in a play-in game to determine the Western Conference’s eighth seed in 2021, with the Grizzlies winning the chocolates to eliminate the Warriors that season. Golden State would get their revenge in a more important matchup a year on, defeating Memphis in last-season’s Conference Semifinals.

That was a highly combative series as both teams went back-and-forth in a physical and verbal matter. It reignited on Christmas Day as Golden State racked up six technical fouls but most importantly the 123-109 win as Memphis exited with their tail between their legs.

There was clearly an edge to the Warriors’ from the opening tip, with the usually subdued Klay Thompson much more animated than usual. The four-time champion didn’t have his most efficient game, but he did finish with 24 points, nine rebounds and the viral moment of the night.

After a late mid-range jumpshot further sealed the win, Thompson had some strong words for a fallen Dillon Brooks. He was T’d up for a taunt, not that any Warrior fans begrudged the actions towards public enemy number one.

In the immediate aftermath, Thompson recalled Brooks’ statement about Memphis creating a dynasty following a game between the two teams last season.

"“You can’t talk dynasty when you haven’t won before. I don’t think people realize how hard that is — the commitment and sacrifice it takes…I thought that was premature talk to even mention that word. They bring the best out of us and I think we do the same. Even though we don’t like them, we’ve got to respect them because they’re a threat.”"

It’s clear the Warriors haven’t forgotten Brooks’ dynasty comments, nor his unsportsmanlike foul that left Gary Payton II with a fractured elbow during the playoffs. More recently, superstar Ja Morant told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that “I’m fine with the West” in reference to a question on who Memphis would have to run through on the way to the title.

The Grizzlies are talented, and one day they may well breakthrough and claim bragging rights over the Warriors and the entire league. But for the moment, Golden State hold the mantle and seem determined not to relinquish it. The two teams meet again at Chase Center on January 25.