Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised his team’s resilience after Monday’s 114-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center. “We finally… strung some stops together. Our defense was poor most of the night… but we buckled down,” Kerr said.
Kerr singled out Al Horford for his performance on both ends. “Al Horford was incredible… 16 points, nine boards, six assists, no turnovers, and a plus-24. He was the key to the game,” the coach added, noting the veteran’s physical presence and high basketball IQ.
The coach also credited Horford’s experience and fundamentals in crucial moments. “He’s a Hall of Fame player. Even though he’s 39, he keeps himself in great shape… his fundamentals, footwork, hands, understanding pivots… all that experience makes him great,” Kerr said.
Brandin Podziemski’s defensive play in the closing seconds also drew praise. “At the end of the game, Brandin gets that stop on Cam Spencer. Shows a lot of emotion,” Kerr said, noting the spark it provided the team.
Kerr explained how the coaching staff motivates the team when energy lags. “I don’t know if it’s begging, but urging is probably the better word… it has to be a collective effort. You have to believe, infuse each other with spirit and energy,” he said.
The Warriors overcame a 113-103 deficit in the fourth quarter behind a decisive 11-0 run. “Once you get a couple stops and feel the energy, you just stay with it,” Kerr said, describing the lineup that closed the game and the rotations that helped sustain momentum.
Golden State relied on balanced scoring without Stephen Curry, sidelined with a right knee injury. Gui Santos led with 16 points, Pat Spencer had 17, Moses Moody scored 15, and Draymond Green added 14 with four three-pointers. Kerr emphasized that multiple players contributing late was key to the win.
The Grizzlies built a 65-57 halftime lead and finished with strong bench production, including Jahmai Mashack’s 17 points and Taylor Hendricks’ 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kerr highlighted how Golden State’s defensive focus in the final minutes limited Memphis’ quality scoring chances.
With the victory, the Warriors improved to 29-25, holding eighth place in the Western Conference. Memphis dropped to 20-32, losing nine of its last 11 games. Golden State will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, while the Grizzlies travel to Denver to conclude their five-game road trip before the All-Star break.
