Grizzlies Vs Warriors: Rookie Will Richard’s 21 Sparks Golden State’s 133-112 Rout in Memphis
The grizzlies vs warriors matchup in Memphis ended with the Golden State Warriors routing the host Memphis Grizzlies 133-112 on Wednesday night, a result with immediate playoff positioning consequences. The victory came amid heavy injury absences on both teams and a decisive 29-8 second-quarter surge that produced a 74-53 halftime cushion.
Grizzlies Vs Warriors in Memphis
The final score read 133-112 with the game played in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 26, 2026. Golden State’s rookie Will Richard led the winners with 21 points. Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II each added 19, Gui Santos chipped in 17, and Malevy Leons finished with nine points. Eight of the nine Golden State players who saw action reached double figures, a depth outcome that helped the visitors pull away.
29-8 run in second quarter
A 29-8 run midway through the second quarter swung the contest. That spurt pushed the Warriors’ advantage to 63-39 and ultimately produced a 74-53 halftime lead. Golden State stretched the margin to 32 in the fourth quarter and then coasted to the win, underscoring how a single extended run can alter a game’s trajectory.
Will Richard and Warriors’ supporting cast
Will Richard’s 21 points stood out in a balanced attack: Podziemski and Payton II with 19 apiece, and Gui Santos with 17. The collective scoring was reflected in the statistic that eight of nine Warriors who played scored in double figures, with Malevy Leons the only exception at nine points. What makes this notable is that the depth scoring came despite a severely depleted rotation on both sides.
Memphis scorers and the Grizzlies’ skid
For Memphis, GG Jackson led the attack with 24 points and eight rebounds. Ty Jerome finished with 22 points and five assists, while Javon Small scored 16 points. The loss extended a troubling stretch for the Grizzlies: they had dropped two straight and 12 of their last 15 games entering Wednesday. As a result of the defeat, Memphis fell into a tie for 12th place in the Western Conference with the idle Dallas Mavericks.
Stephen Curry, Ja Morant among absentees
Key injuries and absences produced unusual lineups. Both teams had at least a half dozen rotation players on the injury list. On the Warriors’ side, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler were among players unavailable. Memphis was without Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. Additionally, Kyle Anderson was declared out for personal reasons about an hour before game time. The missing personnel on both rosters forced coaches to rely on extended role minutes and contributed to the evening’s skewed scoring distribution.
Standings effect and upcoming schedule
The Warriors entered the night still jockeying for postseason positioning, beginning the evening slotted eighth in the West after a 113-109 loss in New Orleans on Tuesday. For Memphis, the defeat dropped the team into a tie for 12th in the Western Conference with the Dallas Mavericks. The Grizzlies will begin a three-game road trip in Dallas on Friday, a stretch that now begins amid their recent slide and with several rotation players unavailable.
The game’s sequence—an early, decisive second-quarter run, broad scoring from Golden State’s bench, and roster gaps on both sides—explains the margin. The timing matters because the Warriors converted the run into a commanding halftime edge and then extended it to a 32-point cushion in the fourth, removing any late-game uncertainty and producing a clear statement in a matchup between two injury-depleted teams.
