The building that once hosted some of Memphis’ most memorable road wins has not been as kind lately. The Grizzlies’ drought at Chase Center stretched past four years on Monday night, as Golden State pulled away late and handed Memphis another frustrating loss, 131-118. The Grizzlies have not won here since Oct. 28, 2021. The win continued Golden State’s grip on this matchup at home, making it seven straight over Memphis in the Bay.
The Grizzlies did not open well. Sluggish offense and missed defensive rotations put the Grizzlies into an early hole before they settled in and punched back. A second-quarter surge and stretches of rugged defense restored momentum and briefly pushed them ahead. Energy returned. There was belief again.
Then the third quarter happened.
Golden State broke the game open with an eight-minute burst of experience and shotmaking that Memphis could not withstand. The Warriors’ ball movement sliced through gaps, transition defense slipped, and the game tilted fast. It is becoming a familiar theme for a young team that is still learning how to manage swings against contenders.
“We started the game slow, but did a good job coming back into the game, which is not always easy in this building,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “We were all the time within the range of the Warriors and in the end, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
Memphis stayed within striking distance throughout most of the second half but never regained the rhythm that sparked its earlier run. For Iisalo, the challenge is not finding moments of growth. The Grizzlies have those. It is about extending them.
“We have good moments within the game, but then when there’s a run by the other team, it extends too long,” he said. “That’s the whole process. Getting the good stretches longer and getting the not so good stretches shorter.”
Part of that developmental battle is ensuring stability on offense. Jaren Jackson Jr. took only one shot in the first half and finished with nine attempts overall. His fingerprints were not on enough possessions. Memphis knows that must change if the group wants to push through difficult nights like this. When Jackson asserts himself with balance and physicality, the offense gains a structure that was missing for long stretches.
There were bright spots. Santi Aldama provided steady production off the bench. Ja Morant’s burst still bent the defense and created paint touches, even as Golden State keyed on forcing kickouts instead of finishes. The fight never completely faded.
By the Numbers
Ja Morant: 23 points, 9 assists, 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Jaren Jackson Jr.: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6-for-6 FT, 4-for-9 FG. Jock Landale: 17 points, 6-for-6 FG, 2-for-2 3PT, 6 rebounds. Santi Aldama: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists.
Golden State has mastered the margins. They’ve been together long enough to anticipate solutions before problems fully form. Iisalo credited Golden State’s connectivity, discipline, and defensive engagement. He also pointed to the activity created by Stephen Curry, whose constant motion distorted coverages and opened clean looks for teammates.
“They’re a very good team. They’re a veteran team. They’re a smart team,” Iisalo said. “The excellence of Steph Curry and his movement. He has a huge gravitational pull. Everybody buys into the system. They play good defense, so it’s a very tough team to play against.”
The Grizzlies saw glimpses of who they can be. Competitive. Disruptive. Confident. They also saw the thin line between promise and proficiency. Nights like these against veteran contenders expose every missed rotation and every moment the offense drifts.
There is no panic in the messaging. Iisalo’s focus remains on the habits and the building blocks, even if the wins are not consistently arriving yet. The road gets no easier in the West. Memphis continues to search for the sustained polish that Golden State displayed. The team and coaching staff understand the lesson and the stage. The question now is whether the growth from this floor, a place the Grizzlies have not conquered since 2021, can push them closer to finally flipping the script.
Next Game: The Grizzlies will try to respond quickly, with a visit to Phoenix on Wednesday. The matchup tips at 9 p.m. CT.