On Tuesday night, Stephen Curry made history once again. Facing a Memphis Grizzlies team still reeling from the recent firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins, the Golden State Warriors’ superstar exploded for 52 points, leading his team to a thrilling 134-125 victory. But this wasn’t just another great performance. With this incredible game, Curry also surpassed Jerry West, moving up to 25th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
A Playoff Atmosphere in Memphis
From the opening tip, the game had the intensity of a playoff matchup. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the high stakes:
“It felt like one.”
And it certainly did. With the win, the Warriors improved to 44-31, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference, now half a game ahead of the struggling Grizzlies (44-32) and also leapfrogging the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32) in the battle for a play-in spot.
As expected, Curry was the main attraction, but he didn’t do it alone. Jimmy Butler delivered an impressive 27 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and remaining perfect from the free-throw line (12/12). Draymond Green controlled the game with a triple-double 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists adding balance to the Warriors’ attack.
Down the stretch, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody stepped up in the clutch. First, Podziemski challenged Ja Morant (who scored 36 points) and finished a key layup to put the Warriors up by five. Moments later, Moody drilled a three pointer from the corner, extending the lead to eight and effectively sealing the victory.
The Warriors were flawless from the free throw line, hitting 28-of-28, which proved to be a deciding factor in securing the win.
A Statement After December’s Humiliation
Curry’s performance was even more significant considering the context of his last visit to Memphis.
Back on December 19, at this very arena, Curry had one of the worst nights of his career, missing all seven of his shots and scoring just two points, as the Warriors suffered an embarrassing 51 point loss one of the worst in franchise history.
But this time, he was on a mission. Right from the start, Curry was on fire, making his first five shots and racking up 19 points in the first quarter alone. The Warriors, fueled by their superstar, set a season high with 45 first quarter points.
Even in a hostile road environment, Curry silenced the crowd, hitting four consecutive three-pointers and drawing cheers even from some Grizzlies fans.
The Grizzlies Fight Back, But Moody Steps Up
Even without Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II, the Warriors exploited Memphis’ defensive gaps. From the early minutes, they put Jaren Jackson Jr. (Defensive Player of the Year) in foul trouble. Just three minutes into the game, Moody playing in front of friends and family from nearby Arkansas forced Jackson into his second foul.
“It’s about showing up for my people,” Moody said. “They watch me all the time on TV in California, but having them here tonight made it special.”
Despite trailing by as many as 17 points, Memphis, under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, fought back, cutting the deficit to 58-56 late in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies’ size advantage became a major problem for the Warriors. Their trio of Jaren Jackson Jr. (6’10”), Santi Aldama (7’0″), and Zach Edey (7’4″, 300 lbs.) dominated the paint, combining for 50 points.
That dominance inside continued into the second half. With six minutes left in the third quarter, Jackson powered through the Warriors’ defense to give Memphis an 85-84 lead.
From that point on, it was a back-and-forth battle. But in the clutch, the Warriors’ experience took over.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
Golden State now wraps up its six-game road trip with a high stakes matchup against the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Then, they return home for a showdown against the third-seeded Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on Friday.
With Curry in peak form, Draymond orchestrating the team, and players like Moody and Podziemski stepping up, the Warriors are proving to be one of the most dangerous teams down the stretch of the season.
