The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 131-110 on Thursday in what continues to add to a growing rivalry between the two teams. Sure, the Grizzlies got this one, but the Warriors still hold a 2-1 advantage in the season series ahead of their final game next week.
The reigning champions could have got the win had things gone their way, but a 20-point first-quarter deficit proved too difficult to overcome. With the franchise hindered by current injury troubles, some role players struggled to rise to increased opportunity.
The supporting cast failed to fire as the Golden State Warriors suffered a third-straight loss on what resulted as a failed roadtrip.
Stephen Curry had yet another good performance in his third game back. The two-time MVP finished with 29 points, having averaging 32 points since his return. After back-to-back games of 10 and 11 points, Jordan Poole scored 22 points against the Grizzlies. He seemed to be much more in the flow of the offense, though his defense continues to be a major issue.
Draymond Green, who can sometimes let heated matchups like this get the best of him, had a solid all-around game as we’ve become accustomed to over his career. The former Defensive Player of the Year finished with 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals.
While they may have been some of the positives to take from the disappointing encounter, here are three players that failed to stand up in assisting the Warriors’ chances of victory.
Andre Iguodala
The veteran and former finals MVP is understandably not what he used to be, but it’s becoming far too obvious at this points. Iguodala has scored zero points in two of his three games since return, and is averaging 1.5 points in his six games this season. Steve Kerr’s forced to utilize him given Golden State’s injury issues, but his minutes really do need to be given to someone else.
Donte DiVincenzo
The former Villanova guard has been excellent for the Warriors this season, particularly if you look at the stretch since the historic Alamodome game in early January. Yet this game against the Grizzlies just wasn’t good, finishing with just two points, one rebound, two assists and a -25 in plus-minus. DiVincenzo probably wasn’t aided by Kerr’s choice to start four guards after Jonathan Kuminga went down injured in the warmup.
Kevon Looney
Looney came off the bench again and wasn’t at his productive best. He finished with just two points and seven rebounds, not contributing much defensively either as Memphis piled on the points. Looney has played incredibly well in the starting lineup, and one has to wonder if a slight injury concern is hampering him.
Things aren’t looking great for the Warriors again as they sit just a game above .500. If they want to stay above the seventh seed and out of the play-in tournament, they simply have to do better. That starts with the supporting cast who can’t be simply relying on the recently returned Curry.