Warriors vs. Grizzlies score: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson lift Golden State to a statement victory

Poole scored 32 points before he was ejected midway through the fourth quarter

The Golden State Warriors were clearly out to send a message to the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas, and they sent it loud and clear with a dominant 122-109 victory at Chase Center, where they are now 13-2 this season. 

The Grizzlies are getting pretty cocky these days, and the Warriors reminded them that they're still the champs while this Memphis team has never been past the second round. No Stephen Curry. No Andrew Wiggins. The Grizzlies at full strength with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lineup. And, still,  Golden State controlled the entire game. 

Jordan Poole, who was ejected for a second questionable technical foul midway through the fourth quarter, led the way with 32 points. Klay Thompson added 23 and really got it going in the third quarter, when Golden State stretched its lead with a 40-point output. 

Neither was terribly efficient, but both were aggressive as Golden State dictated the energy all night. Ja Morant set the pace for the Grizzlies, but his 32 points weren't enough. 

Draymond Green spearheaded a Golden State defense that was committed to guarding the 3-point line, where Memphis shot just 9 for 39. Golden State winning the rebounding battle against a Grizzlies unit that usually owns the glass was big, as was the Warriors' ability to basically match Memphis at the free-throw line. 

Golden State's bench has been a problem all season, but their depth came through in this one with Jonathan Kuminga, Ty Jerome, Anthony Lamb and Moses Moody all delivering highly impactful minutes, James Wiseman was even solid on defense in his eight minutes. Donte DiVincenzo, starting in place of Wiggins, was superb with 19 points and five 3-pointers. He needs to be a stabilizer in bench lineups when Curry and Wiggins return. 

This is a strong way for the Warriors to start an eight-game home stand as they try to stay afloat without Curry, who could be out a few more weeks. Every win matters over this stretch as Golden State, currently outside even the play-in picture, can't afford to dig any bigger a hole in the Western Conference. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:30 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors have continued to create offense with their movement after Poole's departure and are on the cusp of putting a nail in this one. Up 17 with four to play. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:23 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

The Kuminga tech was absurd too

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:23 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Having said that, these refs that think the game is about their sensitive psyches are the worst

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:20 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Jordan Poole getting tossed for second tech is just stupid. With this much time to play? This could really bite the Warriors. If Memphis gets back within striking distance, who creates offense for Warriors down the stretch?

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:19 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors winning the rebounding battle and matching Memphis at the line are big reasons they're up 20

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:08 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Good on Poole for heaving that one up at the end of the third quarter. Too many guys pass those up to preserve their precious shooting percentages. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:06 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Man Kuminga takes these one-on-one star matchups personally. Such an awesome trait for a defender

[Dec 25, 2022 at 10:04 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors up 18, threatening to run off from Memphis, but it still feels like Memphis will make this close at some point

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:58 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Ty Jerome could end up being a pretty nice find for the Warriors. Poole up to 32. Warriors lead by 14 late in third. They'll likely need to hold off at least one Memphis run to put this one away. Long way to go

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:52 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Now Morant matches Poole with 30. Morant's pace is so good now. He's not just a pegged accelerator. Crafty as anyone. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:51 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Poole hits 30-point mark barely halfway through third quarter. Huge night

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:49 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Golden State going to hack-a-Adams could throw off what has been a great rhythm all night

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:47 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Poole has been explosive all season when Curry doesn't play and he's doing it again tonight. From a scoring standpoint, Poole has real Trae Young vibes. He can't pass like Young, doesn't have the court sense and doesn't draw fouls, but putting the ball in the basket, he can be very similar. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:36 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Klay Thompson has missed seven of his eight 2-pointers, but he's 3 for 4 from deep

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:11 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors up five at the half. Poole 20 in the first half. Morant 22. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:03 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Feels like Warriors should be up more than nine. Memphis staying within striking distance. It's what good teams do

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:02 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

There Draymond closes the space on Morant at the top and he drives past him and draws the foul. This is the poison-picking dilemma Morant presents. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 9:00 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

That walk-in top-of-the-key 3 is a real weapon for Morant these days. Bigs sag anticipating penetration. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:57 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Poole with another 3

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:53 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

After reminding Celtics who's the champ, the Warriors are having another one of those reminder games here, dominating the full-strength Grizzlies on both ends so far without Stephen Curry or Andrew Wiggins. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:48 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors really need to make 3s to have a chance without Curry, and so far they're 9 of 15 from deep

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:36 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Poole is feeling himself in this first quarter. This is a big-stage guy. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:33 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Early Wiseman minutes for Warriors. This is a big storyline. His audition with Golden State could be running short. A trade candidate at the deadline. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:32 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Morant cleared for takeoff as Grizzlies take the lead. Wen he elevates off two feet, his hang time is Jordan-esque

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:25 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Why more scoring guards don't emulate the off-ball movement of Warriors' guys is beyond me. Poole mazes his way into a catch-and-shoot 3

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:13 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Morant with the steal at the and-1 finish on the other end. Keep an eye on Memphis paint points all night. They do major work in there

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:11 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Now Klay hits a 3 and Green stands up Adams at the rim. Great energy to start for Golden State

[Dec 25, 2022 at 8:10 pm ET · Brad Botkin]

Warriors get an early 3 from DiVincenzo and a long two from Poole. Need both those guys to play big to have a chance in this one

[Dec 25, 2022 at 7:50 pm ET · Michael Bohlin]

Warriors hoping for some holiday home cooking

To say that the Warriors have enjoyed playing at the friendly confines of Chase Center over the rest of the league's arenas is an understatement as Golden State has been dominant on their home floor, owning a record of 12-2. On the flip side of that, the Warriors have been terrible on the road as they are 3-16 when playing outside of the Bay Area. We'll see if this trend continues tonight against a hot Memphis team. 

[Dec 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm ET · Michael Bohlin]

History for Memphis

The Grizzlies will be suiting up on Christmas Day for the first time in franchise history when they take the floor at Chase Center. Memphis has stormed out of the gates this season and enters Christmas Day tied with the Nuggets for the best record in the Western Conference at 20-11.