The Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Golden State missing 10 players, but looked to be competitive in the first half. Despite three Grizzlies scoring 25+ points, a 22-0 Warriors run was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome as they fell 127-116 on the road.
The first quarter started with a GG Jackson three and he would spark the Grizzlies early on, scoring 12 points in the first quarter including threes. The Grizzlies started slow but made seven threes in the first quarter to keep up with the Golden State offense. The Warriors led by just one after the first, led by 11 points from Johnathan Kuminga.
Things got chippy in the 2nd quarter when Draymond Green and Santi Aldama got into it after a basket. When no tech was called Aldama and Coach Taylor Jenkins wanted an explanation from the ref, Green decided to join in and Desmomd Bane intervened. Green and Bane were giving double techs.
After the altercation, Aldama started heating up for the Grizzlies and finished the first half with 21 points (15 in the 2nd quarter) and six made threes. However, turnovers and poor paint defense allowed a late run from the Warriors, capped off with a Green layup to give them a 10-point lead going into the half led by 18 points from Kuminga.
The Warriors strong play to end the 2nd would carry over into the 3rd as the Warriors went on a 22-0 and building a lead that got as large as 27. Their hot shooting from the first half went cold and they struggled to get stops. Heading into the 4th, the Grizzlies trailed by 18 in a hostile environment. It would have taken a huge momentum swing for the Grizzlies to overcome that deficit, but they could never get the lead back to single digits. Despite a new career high of 35 points from GG Jackson 28 points from Jaren Jackson Jr., and 27 from Santi Aldama, the Grizzlies could not get it done on the road.
GG Jackson continues to shine
GG Jackson has taken advantage of every opportunity so far this season. He has been rewarded with more playing time and more trust from the coaching staff, including earning the Curry assignment on defense. Over his last 6 games GG Jackson is averaging 25 points on 50% shooting and he is now in the top 5 for rookie PPG this season. Many have called this a “lost” season for Memphis and that is true when it comes to the postseason, but Jackson’s development continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise very tough season.