The Memphis Grizzlies achieved a stunning 144-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on December 19, 2024, marking it as the largest win in the NBA this season. Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The team also set a franchise record by making 27 three-pointers during the game.
The Warriors, struggling with form, faced their most significant defeat since last season when they lost 140-88 to Boston. Stephen Curry notably had a difficult night, finishing the game without a field goal and managing only two points. His newly joined teammate, Dennis Schröder, also had a rough debut, contributing just five points on a poor shooting rate of 2-for-12.
Other notable scorers for the Grizzlies included Jake LaRavia, who netted 19 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. with 17 points. Both Aldama and Luke Kennard excelled from beyond the arc, hitting five three-pointers each.
The Warriors’ woes continued as they lost eight of their last ten games, while Memphis won 11 out of their last 13. The first half saw the Grizzlies race ahead to a commanding 69-38 lead, highlighted by their 51% shooting accuracy and efficient three-point shooting, contrasting sharply with the Warriors’ 23% shooting.
A silver lining for Curry is that he achieved a notable milestone with his 1,500th career steal, joining an elite group of players who have accumulated over 24,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 1,500 steals, which includes basketball greats like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
Both teams will look to bounce back in their respective upcoming matches on Saturday, with the Warriors taking on Minnesota and the Grizzlies facing Atlanta.
This dominating performance by the Grizzlies not only boosts their morale but also demonstrates their potential as serious title contenders this season. The team’s ability to set records and win convincingly will serve as motivation as they continue their campaign.