Warriors Suffer Huge Loss vs. Grizzlies

Warriors Brandon Rush fouled hard by Grizzlies Zach Randolph. The Golden State Warriors (1-1) lost more than just their home opener on Friday night, as they fall 104-94 to the Memphis Grizzlies (1-1). As Brandon Rush went up for what looked to be a thunderous dunk late in the first quarter, Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph contested the shot, fouling Rush and sending him down awkwardly on his left knee. Rush fell to the floor, then tried to stand up and straighten his knee out, only to fall back down. It was a gruesome sight. Rush was helped off the floor, unable to put any weight on his knee. Losing arguably their toughest player is not what the Warriors had in mind on opening night. Randolph, who recently suffered his own knee injury, was remorseful and went back to the Warriors locker room to check up on Rush during the quarter break. The injury seemed to put a damper on things for the rest of the night. The Warriors were playing from behind all game. Every time they made a run, the tough and gritty Grizzlies team fired right back at them. The dominant play from the Grizzlies big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol was too much for the Warriors to handle. They combined for 36 points and 20 rebounds. Much like the Warriors last game against the Suns, rebounding killed them. However, Steph Curry had a bounce back game, reminding fans just how good he can be when healthy, scoring 26 points, including 6 treys along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds. He kept them in the game all night, but it wasn’t enough. The Grizzlies backcourt was steady all night and proved why they are a solid playoff contender  Mike Conley Jr. had 21 points and tallied 7 assists, and Rudy Gay dropped 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. They are a relentless athletic, yet big team that will out rebound, out hustle, and just flat out, out play their opposition. Warriors new big man Andrew Bogut continued to ease his way back into form, playing 18 minutes and showed promising signs in the first quarter by playing solid defense against fellow 7 footer Marc Gasol. Golden State’s other big man David Lee had a better game than Halloween night scoring 16 points with 7 rebounds. 2nd year player Klay Thompson only scored 11 points in 38 minutes and it just wasn’t enough to help Curry outscore the balanced attack of the Grizzlies. Warriors Curry playing overaggressive defense on Grizzlies Quincy Poindexter. Golden State is going to need a lot more bench production out of someone other than Carl Landry now that that Brandon Rush is going to be missing a significant amount of time. Landry once again proved to be a bright spot and a consistent offensive threat for the Warriors, finishing with 20 points and 6 rebounds in just 24 minutes. However, in losing Rush, the Warriors will miss his toughness the most. He brought something off the bench that no other Warriors player possesses. He was a physical presence that could take the ball hard to the rack and knock down the outside jumper. He was their best defender and a leader. His absence means that swingmen, rookies Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, along with veteran Richard Jefferson, are really going to have to step up. Although Rush is a huge loss for this team, they do have the depth to overcome his absence. It’s just all going to depend on whether or not someone can rise to the occasion. The Warriors next game is Saturday, November 3rd @ The Los Angeles Clippers. Tip off is at 7:30 PM Pacific time.   The post Warriors Suffer Huge Loss vs. Grizzlies appeared first on Bay Area Sports Nut.