Warriors Lose To Grizzlies As Rookie Morant Returns, 110-102
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ja Morant returned to Memphis' lineup and scored 26 points to lead the Grizzlies to a 110-102 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
The No. 2 pick in the draft added seven assists, two rebounds and a steal in 29 minutes after missing the previous four games with a sore back.
Dillon Brooks added 17 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 16 as the Grizzlies (7-16) won for just the second time in 11 games.
D'Angelo Russell and Alec Burks each scored 18 for the Warriors (5-20), who were trying to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
Morant, who entered the night leading NBA rookies at 18.6 points per game, was one of several Grizzlies who had an answer every time Golden State tried to make a run.
With just over a minute remaining and the Warriors within 106-100, Morant drove the middle of the lane and went flying for a monster dunk that hushed the Chase Center crowd.
The Warriors shot just 38% for the game, and Russell in particular struggled from the floor with a 6-for-22 performance.
The Grizzlies held the Warriors to 33% shooting (15 for 45) in the first half and led 54-47 at the break.
Morant made his presence felt early with 10 points and five assists in the first half. But Memphis also got a nice boost off the bench from Grayson Allen, who scored 13 points.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, who has been bothered by left hip and left oblique soreness, missed his fourth game in a row. … Kyle Anderson didn't play after testing out his sore right heel in warmups.
Warriors: Jacob Evans III, sidelined since Oct. 28 with a left hip strain, played nine minutes in his return Monday. … Damion Lee, out with a fractured right hand, originally was listed as probable, but Kerr said he needs more time before returning to the active roster.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Visit Phoenix on Wednesday to conclude their four-game road trip.
Warriors: Wednesday they host the New York Knicks, the only team in the NBA that entered Monday with a worse record than Golden State.
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