MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If the Warriors were going to win Sunday, they were going to have to do it without their defensive anchor, Draymond Green.
It’s a tough task for Golden State against any team, but especially when they’re going toe-to-toe with the speedy and fearless young Grizzlies.
Still, Golden State found a way to get the job done, thanks to a hard-fought team effort that included an outstanding 31-point performance off the bench from Jordan Poole as well as clutch shooting from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and strong defense from Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney.
All those ingredients were a recipe for success for the Warriors, who took Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Grizzlies, 117-116, in front of an electric crowd.
Thompson hit a clutch 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining to put the Warriors up by one. Curry blocked Ja Morant on the other end and Poole secured the rebound.
Thompson missed two critical free throws late. The Grizzlies called a timeout after winning a jump ball with 3.6 seconds remaining.
Morant tried to make a lightning-quick driving layup while being defended by both Thompson and Payton, but the ball rolled off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Green was ejected late in the second quarter when he was slapped with a flagrant 2 foul after it appeared he pulled on the collar of Brandon Clarke as he went for a basket, dragging the Grizzlies forward to the ground.
Green emphatically told coach Steve Kerr and officials that his hand got caught in the collar of Clarke’s jersey. Chants of “throw him out” erupted in FedEx Forum as officials reviewed the play, which was repeatedly broadcast on the venue’s jumbotron. The officials ultimately decided to send Green packing to the locker room for the contact, much to the dismay of the Warriors, who trailed the Grizzlies 61-55 at the half.
Looney provided the defensive spark the Warriors needed at the beginning of the second half and ended up playing 10 minutes of the pivotal third quarter.
Golden State opened the third quarter on a 13-5 run, led by Curry, who scored seven unanswered points to put the Warriors up 68-66, their first lead since the first quarter. Poole and Curry combined for 23 points in the third quarter to help the Warriors carry a one-point lead into the fourth.
Morant commanded his way through the lane that led to crafty finishes at the rim. And Jaren Jackson Jr. lit it up from beyond the arc in the third quarter, going 4 for 5 from deep for 14 points. Morant finished with a game-high 34 points, but it took him 31 shots. He also had 10 assists. Jackson added 33 points and had 10 rebounds.
Looking to add a stronger defensive presence, Kerr started Payton in place of Poole.
Poole handled the move to the bench like a pro and had his second 30-point game in the playoffs, going 5 for 10 from deep. Curry finished with 24 points and Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and seven rebounds. Thompson had 15 points on a shoddy shooting night, going 3 for 10 from 3-point range.
Kerr was critical of the Warriors giving up too many freebies at the free-throw line due to sloppy play. That carried over into this series against the Grizzlies. Thompson and Payton found themselves in foul trouble in the first half, picking up two early fouls in the first quarter. They picked up their third fouls in the second quarter.
All told, the Warriors had 25 fouls to the Grizzlies’ 19, and Memphis converted on 18 of their 24 free throw attempts.
With the Warriors holding a 1-0 lead, the series will continue Tuesday with Game 2 in Memphis. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.
