SAN FRANCISCO — Whatever could go wrong did go wrong in a disastrous final stretch of the Warriors’ 111-108 defeat to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The Warriors led by 12 with 3:47 left in the game, the Chase Center was rocking in the team’s home opener against the young Grizzlies. All the Warriors had to do was take care of the ball and make a few shots.
The Warriors did neither as the Grizzlies rallied to stun them behind a 17-0 run.
With a chance to take the lead or at least tie with 13 seconds remaining, Draymond Green was called for a moving screen as Steph Curry moved the ball into the frontcourt. Coach Steve Kerr was called for a technical for disagreeing on the Green call, and Ty Jerome hit the free throw, enabling Memphis to salt the game away. The Warriors finished the game on an 0-for-9 cold streak.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts on the sideline in the first quarter of their NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The official offensive play-by-play after De’Anthony Melton canned a jumper to put the team up 12:
Green missed layup, Curry missed 3-pointer, Yaxel Lendeborg blown layup, Brandin Podziemski missed 3-pointer, Podziemski turnover, Curry missed layup, Curry missed 3-pointer, Podziemski missed 3-pointer, Curry missed 3-pointer, Green offensive foul, Brandon Williams missed 3-pointer.
The Warriors have publicly admitted that their goal for the early portion of the season is to “tread water” while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recovery from knee injuries and Kristaps Porzingis remains away for undisclosed reasons.
If they are to do that, debacles like the one that unfolded in San Francisco on Friday night cannot happen. But it did.
“You have to close games in this league, and we didn’t do it. Seven or eight things had to happen, and we just needed to make a shot offensively,” coach Steve Kerr said.
The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 17-0 near the end of the game until Lendeborg’s two free throws with 0.5 seconds left.
“Pretty much everything went wrong, and it’s a tough pill to swallow considering we played really solid, especially in that second half,” Curry said.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 brings the ball down court as he’s guarded by Memphis Grizzlies’ Jerami Grant #3 the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
A surefire victory ended in defeat. It also wasted a huge performance from their two best young players.
Brandin Podziemski and Lendeborg helped lead an 11-0 third-quarter run that flipped the game. Podziemski missed Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers with a sore back, but looked to be in top shape against the Grizzlies. He shook off a hard foul by Zach Edey in the first quarter and finished with 18 points and three rebounds, plus a number of hustle plays.
“I just try to go out there and continue to do those things that I know I’m good at,” Podziemski said.
Lendeborg did not score in the first quarter but concluded Friday with 18 points, six assists and 13 rebounds. He got stuffed at the rim by Edey and former Warrior Quinten Post, but that only seemed to get him going. Lendeborg shot 12 free throws thanks to his constant drives, including six in rapid succession in the second quarter.
It was not just all the young guys though. Curry poured in 24, and De’Anthony Melton scored 10 after going scoreless in the opener.
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 dunks against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Cam Boozer scored 25 for the Grizzlies, and Jerome put up 28 points on his former team.
Lendeborg reveled in his opportunity to play against Boozer, the No. 3 pick in the draft.
“I always want to have a good game against anybody in my draft class, or try to outperform them,” Lendeborg said. “Today I didn’t, but I mean, every game, I’m definitely going to try to take that personally and win my matchup, and ultimately win the game for the team.”
The Warriors were coming off a blowout loss to the Lakers in their season opener, and early on, 0-2 looked inevitable.
Golden State Warriors’ Al Horford #20 appears to foul Memphis Grizzlies’ Cameron Boozer #27 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Warriors fell behind by 11 midway through the second quarter, with Curry stuck on the bench with three fouls. Boozer and Jerome were getting any shot they wanted.
Kerr showed trust in his veteran as the game slipped away, putting Curry back in. The Warriors, aided by both Curry’s presence and the Grizzlies putting Golden State in the bonus, clawed back to make it 60-56 at halftime.
Podziemski gave the Warriors their first lead of the third quarter when his 3-pointer from the wing put Golden State on top 86-84, and then he cut for another layup on a smart cut as the Warriors went on their entire run without Curry or Green on the floor. The Warriors led 90-84 after three quarters but could not hold the lead.
The Warriors (0-2) will fly to Phoenix for the second leg of a back-to-back set on Saturday. During his pregame press conference, Kerr said Curry and Green’s availability is yet to be determined. After the game, Curry said he would “probably not” play, and Podziemski announced he would be out for Phoenix.
Tempers flare
Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies players dispute a referee’s call in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The officials handed out four technical fouls to four different players.
Isaiah Stewart and Green had to be separated near the Grizzlies bench with 4:20 left in the second quarter. Green earned his first technical foul when he and Stewart were jawing with one another during a Lendeborg free throw attempt with 3:41 left in the first half.
As the teams walked off the court with the Warriors leading the Grizzlies 60-56 at halftime, Green and Stewart had words for one another as they went back to the locker room.
And then, with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter, Lendeborg and Jerome received a double tech for another verbal spat. The animosity spilled over into the postgame media availability, when Kerr ripped the Grizzlies.
“We probably had six illegal screens tonight, and those were really tough because of the flopping that was happening on every single one,” Kerr said. “Looked like guys were going down like they’d been hit by a car or something. ”
Ike gets the surprise start
Golden State Warriors’ Graham Ike (45) is photographed during media day at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Facing the gargantuan Memphis lineup that started the 7-3 Edey next to 6-10 Boozer, the Warriors dug deep into their bench.
Missing backup Charles Bassey, they asked undrafted rookie Graham Ike to make his first career start, replacing Gui Santos. It did not begin in glorious fashion, with Ike committing two fouls in the Grizzlies’ first three possessions.
But after knocking down an open 3-pointer that the Grizzlies dared him to take, Ike did about as well as one could hope for from an unheralded player placed in his position. Ike finished with 10 points and made 4 of 7 shots while grabbing three rebounds.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 shoots past Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey #14 in the first quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 heads to the bench after a dispute on a referee’s call in the second quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski #2 and Memphis Grizzlies’ Quinten Post #41 battle for a loose ball in the first quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 shoots past Memphis Grizzlies’ Isaiah Stewart #28 in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 winces as he lays on the court in the second quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandon Williams #12 loses control of the ball as he’s guarded by Memphis Grizzlies’ Isaiah Stewart #28 in the first quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Al Horford #20 attempts to block a shot by Memphis Grizzlies’ Isaiah Stewart #28 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 loses control of the ball as he gets tangled up with Memphis Grizzlies’ Quinten Post #41 in the second quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 dunks against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson #45 loses control of the ball as he’s guarded by Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski #2 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 reacts on the court in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 shoots past Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey #14 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey #14 is double teamed by Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 as they battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Georges Niang #32 and Memphis Grizzlies’ Jerami Grant #3 battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Al Horford #20 disputes a referee’s call in the third quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Gui Santos #15 guards Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome #2 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Kris Murray #17 and Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 battle for a rebound in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 is consoled by a fan after missing a shot the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Gui Santos #15 loses control of the ball as he’s guarded by Memphis Grizzlies’ Quinten Post #41 in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski #2 reacts in the second quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 drives to the basket in the second quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 reacts in the final seconds of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 brings the ball down court as he’s double teamed by Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome #2 and Jerami Grant #3 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandon Williams #12 attempts a 3-point basket, but misses as he’s guarded by Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Spencer #24 late in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cameron Boozer #27 is fouled by Golden State Warriors’ De’anthony Melton #8 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 reacts after a referee’s call in the third quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg #1 drives towards the basket past Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Spencer #24 in the first quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ forward Yaxel Lendeborg #1 gestures before their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski #2 shoots past Memphis Grizzlies’ forward Cameron Boozer #27 in the first quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski #2 walks off the court after their 111-108 NBA loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Show Caption
1 of 30
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 shoots past Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey #14 in the first quarter of their NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)