Warriors Vs Grizzlies: Warriors 133, Grizzlies 112 — Melton Out, Draymond Questionable, Will Richard’s Career Night

The Warriors Vs Grizzlies matchup on Wednesday night ended in a 133-112 victory for Golden State, a dominant performance that arrived amid a roster shortage and a raft of injuries. That win featured a remarkably balanced attack with just nine players available, Al Horford back in the rotation, De’Anthony Melton sidelined for the second half of a back-to-back, and Draymond Green listed as questionable.

Warriors Vs Grizzlies — game result and context

Golden State put on what was called the most balanced attack of the entire season in a 133-112 road win over Memphis. The Warriors were on the back end of a back-to-back and still crushed the Grizzlies, who are characterized in coverage as engaging in a tanking operation. Despite trading core pieces like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the last year, Memphis entered the game with a long list of players out.

Injury report: Melton out, Draymond questionable; Horford returns

De’Anthony Melton will be out for the second half of the Warriors’ back-to-back. Al Horford, who missed Tuesday’s game, returned to the rotation for the matchup. Draymond Green was listed as questionable. The Warriors were already missing Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Seth Curry as well.

Memphis availability and roster notes

Memphis listed a long string of players out: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, Brandon Clarke, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were all out, with the caveat that some are sidelined with legitimate injuries. The Grizzlies had also traded Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the last year. Former Warriors forward Kyle Anderson was listed as questionable for Memphis.

Player grades and individual stat lines from the Warriors’ win

There were just nine Warriors available, and all nine played significant roles. Several individual performances stood out and were graded against expectations.

• Moody — 28 minutes, 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 4-for-7 shooting, 3-for-5 threes, 3-for-3 free throws, 84. 1% TS, +6.
• Santos — 26 minutes, 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 6-for-7 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 97. 0% TS, +21.
• Al Horford — 27 minutes, 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 foul, 4-for-10 shooting, 2-for-6 threes, 50. 0% TS, +12.
• Will Richard — 30 minutes, 21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 9-for-15 shooting, 2-for-6 threes, 1-for-1 free throws, 68. 0% TS, +6; led the team in points and delivered a career game.
• Podziemski — 31 minutes, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-14 shooting, 3-for-8 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 60. 3% TS, +22; he was on triple-double watch for much of the night but did not match a prior 15-rebound outing mentioned from earlier games.

Standings implications: Play-In hopes and the effect of league tanking

The Warriors’ hopes of escaping the Play-In Tournament have largely been dashed by Butler and Curry’s injuries. At the same time, widespread tanking around the league has lessened pressure from teams behind Golden State in the standings. The Dubs are facing a fairly easy schedule over the final months of the season and could make a run at the 6th or 7th seed with a particularly strong stretch.

Takeaways and immediate outlook

The win was notable for its balance and the way fringe rotation players stepped up with nine available. Al Horford’s return and Will Richard’s career night were defining elements, while De’Anthony Melton’s absence for the back half of the back-to-back and Draymond Green’s questionable status remain key short-term questions. Memphis’ roster decisions and multiple absences shaped the competitive landscape for this matchup.

Details may evolve as injury designations and rotations are updated, but the game itself stands as a clear high point for Golden State amid a turbulent roster stretch.