Here are the scores, updates, and results of the NBA 2020-2021 Play-In Tournament match between the Golden State Warriors (GSW) against the Memphis Grizzlies (MEM) on May 22, 2021 (All times are in Philippine Standard Time) at the Chase Center.
Ja Morant had a stellar performance in a very crucial game in the Chase Center, recording 35 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Not only that, but the 21-year old speedy point guard also played for 46 huge minutes. In addition to that, Morant had flaming hands in the third quarter in terms of his shooting from outside the three-point arc. Moreover, he also had an outstanding hook-shot in the last seconds in overtime that gave his team a 5-point lead with 4.5 seconds remaining, securing the matchup against the Warriors.
Dillon Brooks added 14 points after playing for 45 minutes while Valanciunas almost finished the game with a double-double just like how he ended the game in their previous matchup against the Spurs with a 20-20 game in Memphis. Overall, the big man scored 9 points and collected 12 boards.
“A fight. We played them earlier in the season, obviously came up short,” Morant shared. “The best team in the league right now. We know what to expect. We have to lock in and play 48 minutes.”
Grayson Allen, who finished with 12 points and had 4 steals, hit 2 consecutive three-pointers on the Warriors in OT and gave the Grizzlies a 4-point lead.
The Warriors were trailing in the first quarter as the Grizzlies were outscoring them with their own shots. The Grizzlies were ahead with a 13-point lead on the Warriors. Knowing that his team needs a push, Curry erupted against the visiting team and knocked down three-pointer after three-pointer. Poole then dropped a three-point shot to give his team the lead with a score of 26-27 in the last minutes of the first quarter.
The Grizzlies had a reply on the Warriors in the second quarter as they led for as much as 17 points.
Stephen Curry exploded with 39 big points, five assists and managed to hit 6 out of his 15 attempts from beyond the three-point arc after playing for 47 minutes. The two-time MVP hit 2 charity stripe shots to tie the game at 97 with 1:12 to go in the final quarter.
Draymond Green finished the game with his seventh triple-double performance of the season, chipping in 11 points, ten assists, and 16 boards. The versatile forward of the Golden State Warriors could have sent the Warriors to the playoffs as he attempted a teardrop shot, but it was no good. Jordan Poole added 19 points while also hitting crucial shots throughout the game while Andrew Wiggins had 22 points.
The Grizzlies will go straight to the playoffs and will go up against the number one seed of the western conference, the Utah Jazz on Monday while the Warriors will be eliminated from the playoffs.
Warriors vs Grizzlies
30-29; 32-20; 16-24; 21-26; 18-13
The scores:
Warriors (112) – Curry 39, Wiggins 22, Poole 19, Green 11, Bazemore 10
Grizzlies (117) – Morant 35, Brooks 14, Allen 12, Tillman 11, Jackson Jr. 10