It’s crucial recreation of the season for the Warriors. Or at the very least till the following one. And the one after that, and the one after that . . .
On the road Tuesday night time is a possible playoff seeding benefit over the host Memphis Grizzlies within the fifth recreation of a six-game journey exterior the Bay Space. The Warriors have received two of three in opposition to the Grizzlies this season, most lately 121-114 on Jan. 4 in Memphis.
“If we beat Memphis, we can get the tie-breaker against them,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated Sunday night time after a 148-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs. “That’s huge. We’re right there with the Clippers and the Lakers are only a couple ahead. It’s going to be quite a race down the stretch. Our last eight games are pretty tough. Tonight was a really good effort and a good, good momentum builder.”
Of their finest offensive efficiency of the season in opposition to an admittedly drained and overmatched opponent, the Warriors had season highs in factors and assists (42) and dedicated solely 13 turnovers. They moved again into the No. 6 place at 42-31, with the Los Angeles Clippers (42-32) dropping to No. 8 and Minnesota (42-32) sliding in to No. 7.
The highest six groups in every convention advance to a playoff sequence. Nos. 7 via 10 would require a play-in recreation to remain alive. The Warriors have been the No. 10 seed final season at 46-36 and have been one-and-done after a 118-94 street loss to the Sacramento Kings in a play-in recreation. The earlier time they have been within the play-in match, in 2021, Memphis knocked them out at Chase Middle.
The Warriors will conclude the journey Thursday night time on the street in opposition to the fourth-seeded Lakers, who’re 45-29 going right into a recreation Monday night time in opposition to Houston. However first issues first. Having received two of three in opposition to Memphis, a win for the Warriors would give them the tiebreaker benefit ought to the 2 groups end with the identical report.
The Grizzlies shook issues up by firing coach Taylor Jenkins Friday with the workforce tied for fourth place within the Western Convention. Memphis misplaced its first recreation Saturday at house beneath interim coach Tuomas Iiasalo 134-127.
After scoring a game-high 27 factors in opposition to San Antonio and a career-high seven 3-point baskets (in 9 makes an attempt), guard Brandin Podziemski stated the Grizzlies seem to have modified issues up with Jenkins’ departure.
“They play a little bit differently on offense,” Podziemski stated. “It was a good thing for us the Lakers won because we can have the tiebreaker.”
Earlier than the Warriors beat New Orleans Friday, Kerr expressed shock on the Grizzlies’ transfer.
“It came out of nowhere for us,” Kerr informed reporters. “We’re not involved, obviously. Just from afar, it’s shocking . . . it doesn’t add up if you’re on the outside looking in.”
Warriors ahead Gui Santos (15) may see further taking part in time if Jonathan Kuminga is sidelined with an ankle damage. Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group
The Grizzlies are 44-31 not together with a house recreation Monday night time in opposition to the NBA champion Boston Celtics. The Warriors are on their second-longest journey of the season, however the one-sided nature of the win in San Antonio ought to alleviate a number of the fatigue.
Podziemski performed 27 minutes, equaling his level whole, and main the workforce.
The Warriors misplaced the primary two video games of the street journey with Stephen Curry on the bench with a pelvic contusion and have received two with him again within the lineup. Curry had 23 factors in 34 minutes in opposition to New Orleans and 13 factors in 26 minutes in opposition to San Antonio, so he hasn’t been pushed to the brink in his return from damage.
Ahead Draymond Inexperienced performed 21 minutes with 14 factors and 5 rebounds.
“You get a night where nobody plays more than 25, 26 minutes, that’s very helpful,” Kerr stated. “So we’re rested and in rhythm. A big, big stretch coming.”
After the Warriors play the Lakers on the ultimate recreation of the street journey, they’re again at Chase Middle for video games in opposition to Denver (47-28) and Houston (49-26), the third- and second-seeded groups within the Western Convention, respectively.
The ultimate 4 video games of the common season are at Phoenix (April 8), at house in opposition to San Antonio (April 9), at Portland (April 11) and the regular-season finale in opposition to the Clippers (April 13) at Chase Middle.
Middle Kevon Looney, who transformed his first 3-point basket of the 12 months as drawn up by Kerr in opposition to San Antonio, was inspired by the way in which the Warriors performed in opposition to the Spurs.
“We had to get back on the right path, and we were playing the right way,” Looney stated. “The ball was moving. We had a low turnover game. We set better screens and our shooters made shots. I think if we play the right way, we’ll be in a good spot next week. We know the opportunity we have in front of us. We have to make sure we capitalize.”
Ready on Kuminga: Ahead Jonathan Kuminga fell awkwardly within the first half and was completed after scoring 4 factors in a bit of over six minutes in opposition to the Spurs. Kuminga was coming off a promising 18-point, eight-rebound recreation in opposition to New Orleans.
“I saw him at halftime and checked in and it’s such a bummer,” Kerr stated. “He was just coming back, finding his rhythm, playing well. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
If Kuminga is sidelined, Gui Santos, who had 4 factors, 4 rebounds and 6 assists in opposition to San Antonio in 23 minutes, might be used extra.
“Obviously he doesn’t play a ton, but he plays a really important role,” Kerr stated. “He comes in and gets offensive boards, moves the ball, plays with great energy. He’s a difference-maker so I feel good about playing Gui if he has to play more with JK’s absence.”
