During the lively December 30 showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies, tensions flared once again, showcasing the intense rivalry between the two teams. After the dust settled, the Warriors secured a 121-113 victory, yet the defining moment of the game wasn’t the score.
It all went down early in the fourth quarter. Zach Edey, the Memphis Grizzlies rookie center, caught the ball poised for what appeared to be an easy dunk. But as he went up to score, Warriors forward Draymond Green swiftly reached across his shoulders, wrapping him up and preventing the shot. Edey retaliated by shoving Green, causing the players to be separated by the officials. This confrontation led to referees reviewing the incident and eventually upgrading the foul to flagrant.
“I didn’t like it,” Edey stated about the foul. “I don’t like when people grab and touch me. Just get off me.” His frustration mirrored the sentiment felt by fans who closely follow the fierce competition between these two teams, but this was certainly not the first time tempers flared between Green and Edey.
Earlier this season, the two had similar altercations during their November 15 matchup, where Green was assessed another flagrant foul following rough play. After the December game, Green shrugged off the consequences, exclaiming, “No, but it’s Draymond Green. That’s why it’s a flagrant foul.” Known for his aggressive playing style, Green’s history includes numerous technical and flagrant fouls throughout his 13-year career.
This contest saw some impressive performances on the court, particularly from Andrew Wiggins, who led the Warriors with 24 points, including several clutch three-pointers. Jaren Jackson Jr. stood out for the Grizzlies, scoring 23 points alongside his ferocious defense. Edey, returning from injury and making his way back to form, ended the night with five points and six rebounds.
Despite these scores, the focus remained on the rivalry brewing between Green and Edey. After the incident, referees urged Edey to “calm down,” but the frustration between the two players had escalated from November’s previous meeting. Following the earlier game, Green implied Edey’s comments to the media were weak for someone of his stature. It’s clear Edey took this criticism to heart, asserting himself during the game with increased physicality.
Green, on his part, expressed nonchalant remarks about Edey’s skills, repeating, “He play in the NBA.” This passive acknowledgment does little to mask the aggressive rivalry brewing. Their next meeting is anticipated on April 1, 2024, and fans are eager to see how this budding feud continues to evolve.
Coach Taylor Jenkins praised his team for their efforts, particularly for their tenacity at the basket, limiting the Warriors to just 32 points in the paint. Nonetheless, the true story of the night revolved around the shooting mastery of the Warriors, who boasted over 53% from three-point range, sinking 23 triples compared to Memphis’s nine.
Following the game, Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane expressed eagerness to return home after the road trip, mentioning his excitement to recharge with family as they gear up to face tough competition at home against the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets. This performance on the court, along with the rekindling rivalry, marks just another chapter in the storied confrontations between the Warriors and Grizzlies, two teams with playoff history and competitive aspirations.
With both teams eyeing playoff contention this season, fans could witness another fiery matchup come April. The question looms: will Edey and Green’s rivalry intensify, or will the competitive behaviors simmer down? Nevertheless, one thing is for sure—each game promises excitement and unpredictability.