Grizzlies vs Warriors: Gui Santos and Al Horford seal late 114–113 comeback

The Golden State Warriors turned a short-handed night into one of their sharpest finishes of the season, rallying past the Memphis Grizzlies 114–113 in San Francisco on Monday night (Feb. 9, 2026, ET). Down as many as 17 in the second half, Golden State closed the game with a defensive squeeze that flipped the arena — and the result — in the final minutes.

Gui Santos delivered the decisive basket, finishing a scramble with a go-ahead layup with 19.4 seconds left. Al Horford’s steady play and late-stop presence helped power the closing run, as Memphis managed only five points over the final 8:23.

How Warriors vs Grizzlies swung late

Memphis controlled long stretches by winning the possession battle early and forcing Golden State into a turnover-heavy first three quarters. The Grizzlies carried momentum into the fourth, building a lead that looked safe given how uneven Golden State’s offense had been.

Then the game tightened. Golden State increased ball pressure, cleaned up defensive rotations, and forced Memphis into tougher shots late in the clock. The Warriors’ offense didn’t suddenly become flawless — the win was built on stops, rebounds, and second-chance effort. The final possession sequence captured it: multiple misses, a key board, quick decision-making, and Santos finishing at the rim for the lead.

Memphis still had a chance, but a late takeaway and a rushed final look left the visitors one point short.

Gui Santos’ moment and what it says about depth

Santos’ go-ahead layup was the headline, but his broader impact was that he played with confidence as the game sped up. When stars are out and the rotation gets compressed, the margin for hesitation disappears. Santos attacked gaps, crashed the glass, and stayed engaged defensively, which earned him the chance to make the biggest play of the night.

That matters for Golden State beyond one game. The Warriors have leaned on role players for stretches this season, and a finish like this becomes a template: defend hard enough to buy time, then trust the next man up to make the play.

Al Horford’s calm influence in chaos

Horford’s line wasn’t just points and rebounds — it was organization. He steadied possessions, made simple reads, and helped Golden State survive the messy parts of the night. In the fourth quarter, his ability to be in the right spot defensively, rebound through contact, and keep the ball moving on offense showed up repeatedly.

For a roster that often plays fast and improvisational, Horford’s value is that he simplifies the game when it threatens to unravel. The Warriors’ best stretch came when they stopped chasing quick fixes and leaned into controlled, physical defense.

What went wrong for the Grizzlies

Memphis did enough to win for most of the night, but the closing sequence was a warning about finishing games on the road. The offense stalled late, the shot quality slipped, and the Grizzlies struggled to create clean looks once Golden State ramped up pressure.

The Grizzlies were also playing without key pieces, and the late-game execution reflected a group trying to find the right balance between caution and aggression. They generated chances, but Golden State’s final push turned those possessions into contested shots and rushed decisions.

Key numbers from Grizzlies – Warriors

Where to watch the next Grizzlies vs Warriors meeting

The teams meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Memphis with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET. The matchup is scheduled for a national TV broadcast, with local radio coverage in both markets. Viewers who don’t receive the national channel typically can find the game through their regional sports network or the league’s out-of-market streaming package, depending on location and blackout rules.

For fans tracking the Warriors and Grizzlies closely, that rematch arrives with a clear hook: can Memphis close late against Golden State’s defensive pressure, and can the Warriors keep finding offense when games slow down?

Sources consulted: NBA, Associated Press, Reuters, ESPN