The Grizzlies fell to 2-2 on the season after losing their 11th straight game against the Golden State Warriors on the road (including the postseason). They haven't won a game in San Francisco since October 28, 2021, after winning three of their first four meetings there following the Warriors' move from Oakland in 2019.
The teams were virtually even in the first half as the Grizzlies kept pace with the team that seems to always be in their way when the season is on the line. However, the second half got away from them as the Warriors imposed their will on the young and depleted Grizzlies, but one specific play defined the game and the recent history of their matchups in the Bay Area.
Draymond Green's antics fueled the Warriors' run
The Warriors' forward is probably the most disliked player in the NBA due to his antics and sometimes dirty play, but he is the energy boost for them. Golden State began the second half extending their four-point halftime deficit to a 13-point lead with 4:09 remaining in the third quarter before Draymond Green pulled Santi Aldama down on a fastbreak dunk/layup attempt.
Draymond Green with some words to Jaren Jackson Jr. after a Flagrant 1 foul on Santi Aldama.pic.twitter.com/XFoVtpTF4R
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 28, 2025
The sequence led to Draymond Green receiving a technical foul for expletives yelled about Aldama and at Grizzlies' big man Jaren Jackson Jr., and a flagrant foul. Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo also received a technical foul for voicing his frustrations at the referees, as he wanted the play to be reviewed for a hostile act, warranting the flagrant foul Draymond received.
While fans don't expect players to fight in intense moments due to the falling out of missing games, it was notable that no Grizzlies players responded to Green's antics in the heat of the moment. Despite the tension caused by Green, the Warriors were the team that responded and virtually ended the game before the fourth quarter began.
Santi Aldama missed the ensuing two free throws from the flagrant foul, which led to Draymond dancing around, energizing the arena. What followed was a turnover by Aldama, followed by a Jarnen fouling Moses Moody on a three-point attempt, spearheading an 8-0 run to turn a 91-78 game to 99-78 with 2:27 remaining in the third.
Was Draymond's foul on Santi a dirty one? It probably was. However, the response on the court came from the Warriors, who were already leading by 13 points at the time the controversial play occurred. The Grizzlies may not have an enforcer to argue back in that situation, but losing the energy battle on the court afterward can't happen if they want to take the next step towards contention and finally getting over the hump against the team that has stood in their way.