The Golden State Warriors returned to Chase Center tonight after a humiliating 1-5 road trip. Hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas Day without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, many expected Ja Morant and co to take the game and run with it. However, Klay Thompson and the others had different plans.
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Ever since the 2021 Play-In Games, the Grizzlies and the Warriors have always given each other their best. There have been times when the Grizzlies players went overboard. Around nine days before the Xmas Game, Dillon Brooks spoke about playing the Dubs on Xmas Day.
Dillon Brooks speaking about if he was disappointed to hear that Stephen Curry won’t play on Christmas.
“I got Klay. I like that matchup better, because he was talking a little smack when we lost. I’ll just show him what type of defense I got.”
Christmas Day.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) December 16, 2022
Fast forward to today, and Klay Thompson had the last laugh.
EXPEDITE THE KLAY THOMPSON STATUE CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/bsF7iZWG4D
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) December 26, 2022
Klay Thompson talks about the Grizzlies after the win
After Marc Davis ejected Jordan Poole with 9 minutes left in the 4th, the Grizzlies tried chipping away at the Warriors’ lead. However, Klay stepped up and made sure the Dubs did not blow the 16-point advantage.
After the game, he spoke about the Grizzlies and the matchup between the two teams.
“You can’t talk dynasty when you haven’t won before … I thought that was premature talk.”
—Klay after beating the Grizzlies on Christmas pic.twitter.com/mBR1Uq5h7I
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 26, 2022
This is the dynasty comment Klay mentioned.
Dillon Brooks: “They know that we’re going to come every single year. We’re young, and they’re getting old.”
Steph Curry’s response: “He’s said a lot of crazy things. He called himself a dynasty already”
h/t @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/J9X4wHI76D
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 14, 2022
All matchups between the two teams have always been fun to watch. As Klay said, they bring out the best in each other, and hopefully, we will get a lot more entertaining matchups. At the same time, the Grizzlies need to learn how to stop talking their trash before actually getting miles under their wings.
What does this Christmas Day Win mean for the Warriors?
With the win tonight, the Warriors now have a 16-18 record for the season. They’re 13-2 at home and 3-16 on the road. Tonight was the first of the eight-game homestand for the Dubs. It is a crucial eight-game stretch, as it would set the base for the remainder of the season.
At a time when no one expected the Dubs to take down the #1 team in the West on Xmas Day, getting this win should be a huge confidence booster. If the Warriors can keep playing like they did tonight, and with Wiggins returning soon, they should be able to hold the fort down till Stephen Curry returns.
