The Golden State Warriors are set to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on February 25, 2026, in a matchup that’s as much about survival as it is about rivalry. Both teams enter the contest battered by injuries and recent losses, but with plenty at stake as the NBA regular season pushes deeper into its second half. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with coverage available on NBC Sports Bay Area, FanDuel Sports Network, and streaming via Fubo and Peacock.
For the Warriors, the season has been a rollercoaster. They come into this game with a 30-28 record, clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference. Their most recent outing was a narrow 113-109 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans—a loss that stung, especially as it came on the road and without the services of star guard Stephen Curry, who remains sidelined with a right knee injury. It’s been a recurring theme for Golden State, as they’ve struggled to find consistency on the road, posting just an 11-17 mark against the spread away from home this season, including a disappointing 5-11 as road favorites.
Memphis, meanwhile, finds itself in an even tougher spot. The Grizzlies have a 21-35 record, sitting 11th in the West and riding a two-game losing streak. Their latest setback was a 123-114 home loss to the Sacramento Kings. Injuries have ravaged their roster, with key players like Ja Morant (left elbow sprain), Zach Edey (left ankle stress reaction), Brandon Clarke (right calf strain), Santi Aldama (right knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right fifth finger surgery), and Cedric Coward (right knee) all ruled out. Kyle Anderson is listed as questionable with right knee patellar tendinitis. Despite these setbacks, Ty Jerome is expected to play after missing the last game due to illness, and will look to build on his 19.3 points and 5.7 assists per game through seven appearances this season.
“It’s been tough going this season for Jerome, who missed the first few months of the season due to a calf strain. Jerome is averaging 19.3 points and 5.7 assists through seven games this season. He’s getting more playing time during his first year in Memphis, and he’s making the most of it,” noted Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Gilbert.
The Warriors are also dealing with their own share of absences. In addition to Curry, Jimmy Butler, L.J. Cryer, and Seth Curry are all out, while Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton are listed as questionable. Kristaps Porzingis missed the previous game due to illness. Draymond Green, however, remains a steady presence, averaging 8.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game on the season. Moses Moody has also stepped up, contributing 11.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest, while Brandin Podziemski has chipped in with 12.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 5 boards per game. The Warriors’ roster depth will be tested once again in Memphis.
Probable starting lineups for the game reflect the depleted nature of both squads. For Golden State: De’Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and Draymond Green. For Memphis: Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Ty Jerome is expected to be a key contributor off the bench, if not in the starting five.
Despite their struggles, the Warriors have dominated this matchup in recent years. They’ve won five straight and eight of the last nine meetings with the Grizzlies, including both previous encounters this season. However, Memphis nearly pulled off an upset just a few weeks ago, falling 114-113 in a nail-biter. That close result, coupled with the Warriors’ fatigue from a back-to-back and their ongoing injury woes, gives Memphis hope that this could finally be their night to snap the streak.
“This might finally be Memphis’ chance to break their skid against the Warriors. They nearly did it a few weeks ago, and now host a tired Warriors team that is missing a few key players,” observed a Sports Illustrated analyst. Still, the odds favor Golden State. As of Wednesday afternoon, sportsbooks had the Warriors as 3.5 to 4.5-point favorites, with a moneyline of -180 for Golden State and +150 for Memphis. The over/under for total points ranged from 224.5 to 227.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring affair—no surprise, given the Warriors’ penchant for three-point shooting and Memphis’ struggles defending the perimeter.
“The Warriors still shoot a lot of threes, the most in the league, and Memphis gives up the seventh-most threes defensively. The math game alone benefits the Warriors. The Grizzlies are also terrible at rim protection because, well, they aren’t playing any centers or really any bigs at all. So, the Warriors’ back-cuts and lob attempts will be relatively unchallenged,” explained a betting analyst from The Action Network.
For Memphis, the absence of Morant and other key veterans has forced the team to lean on younger, less experienced players. GG Jackson II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper are expected to play significant minutes, and there’s some optimism that their energy could trouble an undersized, tired Warriors squad. “The Grizzlies have some sneaky talented guys. I think Olivier-Maxence Prosper could have a big game tonight, and GG Jackson has enough size to give an undersized Warriors team problems. But ultimately, the Warriors have enough playoff-caliber rotation guys motivated to get this win after yesterday’s loss,” the analyst added.
Beyond the immediate stakes of the game, this matchup is also the third meeting between the two teams this season. Golden State has taken both prior contests and four in a row overall. The rivalry, once defined by fiery matchups featuring stars like Curry and Morant, looks very different this time around—with many of those marquee names watching from the sidelines. Still, the competitive fire remains, even if the faces have changed.
Fans tuning in can expect a spirited contest, with both teams desperate to right the ship after recent struggles. For the Warriors, it’s a chance to solidify their playoff position and regain some road confidence. For the Grizzlies, it’s an opportunity to end a losing streak against a longtime nemesis and give their young core a confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the season.
As the teams prepare to tip off, all eyes will be on FedExForum to see if the Warriors’ dominance continues or if the Grizzlies can finally turn the tables. With both squads short-handed and hungry, this could be one of the most unpredictable—and entertaining—games of the week.
With tipoff approaching and both teams eager to snap their respective skids, one thing’s for sure: there’s no shortage of storylines as the Warriors and Grizzlies renew their rivalry in Memphis. Stay tuned for what promises to be a hard-fought and dramatic NBA showdown.