SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 (US): Now, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are calling out the Golden State Warriors for causing unnecessary injuries.
Morant again injured his troublesome right knee late in the game when Jordan Bull grabbed it when he fought for a loose ball late in the Warriors’ 142-112 win that embarrassed the Grizzlies on Saturday night and gave Golden State a 2-1 lead in. Western Conference semi-finalists, The Associated Press.
Morant left Chase Center without speaking to reporters, but posted a video of the play on his Twitter account and later deleted it with the phrase “code-breaking,” a reference used by Warriors coach Steve Kerr five days ago when Dillon Brooks made a difficult mistake in Game 2 sidelining Gary Payton II. .
Paul and Andrew Wiggins burst into Morant dribbling at the top of the 3-point arc when Morant struggled to hold the ball – and Paul called it “basketball.”
“When we doubled it, hit the ball, I was going for the ball. You obviously don’t want to see anyone get hurt, I’m not even that kind of player,” Paul said. Obviously I hope he improves and we can see him in the next match. “
Brooks was suspended for his astronomical error 2 in the first quarter of Tuesday night when he pounded the head of Payton’s driver, who landed embarrassingly and broke his left elbow. He will be sidelined indefinitely due to a ligament and muscle injury.
Kerr said the play was “sloppy” and broke the NBA’s “code” injuring someone and threatening his career, while Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins and his players defended their tough style that they weren’t dirty at all.
Draymond Green and Golden State kept quiet from the opening party – methodically escaping from it. Instead, Memphis forward Kyle Anderson was sent off with 6:19 left for an offensive foul.
Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Clay Thompson 21 and nine rebounds, and Golden State closed Morant’s supporting team.
A 3 of Morant just before the break got the Grizzlies up to 64-57 at the break and gave him 17 of 34 points after a 47-point performance in Game 2. But Morant couldn’t do it alone with the Memphis, and it was done after rubbing his knee. Right-handed and out with 6:19 to play before heading to the locker room.
“It’s being evaluated now. Nothing else. We just watched the replay,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “He was chasing a dribble and he actually grabbed Jordan Bull’s knee and pulled it, which caused it all to happen, so I’d be very curious to see what would happen. after that.”
Kerr said he “didn’t even notice the play”.
Brooks will return for Game 4 Monday night at Chase Center, where the roaring crowd included two women with marks on Payton’s face and insisting warriors “Win it for Gary.” It’s unclear if Morant will be okay to play.
“I went through a pretty severe knee injury, and I don’t think there was malicious intent from Jordan,” Thompson said. “I don’t think it’s strong enough to hit someone’s knee. But we’re not trying to hurt people or trying to hit people in the back of our heads at a quick breakfast. We’re playing the game the right way and I’m going to support him.”
Golden State dominated with balanced attack and energy from both sides after Green called on the offensive to do more to improve the defense. He made eight passes, five points, and five rebounds.
“Shot selection has been improved a lot,” Kerr said.
Paul scored 27 points off the bench and Andrew Wiggins added 17 points for Golden State, which used 10-0 from the break to take the lead for good.
“We have another game on Monday,” Paul said when asked what he expects next given the last home and away game between the contenders.
Rookie Jonathan Cominga provided a spark off Payton, while visiting Williams at Brooks’ place.
Curry missed his first two shots and then scored his first match point by making a big 3 with 0.9 left on his first as the Warriors trailed 28-26.
Morant hit a 31-foot 3-pointer halfway through the first and dunked Williams shortly after to lead 21-8 and fired Memphis 6-from 9 to start the game. But the Grizzlies got cold and only made 3 of the next 12 and watched the Warriors close out the quarter with an 18-7 blast.
“We were too frantic to start the match,” Kerr said.
Thomson’s touch
Carrie Splash Brother, Thompson shoots an 8-for-13 four-pointer on a solid shooting night.
It’s been 11 for 38 off the ground, including 5 of 22 on 3 pointers, so far in the series before finding a better groove. Kerr thought that would happen soon enough.
“When we get good shots, the chances of Clay heating up are much higher, and when he gets hot, our team takes on a different look,” Kerr said. “We’re getting more and more difficult to guard.”
Adams’ absence
Grizzlies Center Steven Adams was available to play for the first time in the series after breaking out of league health and safety protocols but the big guy didn’t play until the game got out of hand.
Hint
Grizzlies: G Desmond Bane’s annoying back was sore during match 2 but it got better. “His back is going. I don’t think he’s as full as he was in the regular season but he’s the ultimate contender,” Jenkins said. He scored between 16 points in 29 minutes. … Memphis shot 6 of 11 from a 3-point range in the first quarter.
Warriors: The Warriors beat the Grizzlies 21-14 in the first half and 53-37 overall. … Golden State plays at home 4-0 this season and 49-11 dating back to 2015 that ended with the franchise’s first championship in 40 years.