Defensive-minded Draymond Green delivered an unprecedented triple-double as the Golden State Warriors turned the tables on a Memphis Grizzlies team that had beaten them twice this season.
Green on Friday had 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals for the first triple-double in NBA history that didn’t include double-digit points.
Green scored only four, but with teammate Klay Thompson scoring 36, Kevin Durant adding 24 and Stephen Curry contributing 18, Green knew he could contribute elsewhere in the 122-107 triumph.
“I’ve always said that’s what I have to do on this team — I have to bring it on the defensive end,” said Green, who also blocked five shots. “A lot of guys on this team can score. We don’t need me to score. Some games I’ll score, some games I won’t — I can always defend.”
Green’s 10 steals were a record for the Warriors, who had fallen 110-89 to Memphis in December and three weeks later squandered a 24-point lead to fall 128-119 to the Grizzlies in overtime.
The Grizzlies were the first team to beat the Warriors twice in a season since the San Antonio Spurs in 2014-15, but they barely got a look-in this time.
Golden State never trailed, pulling away in a third quarter that saw Grizzlies coach David Fizdale ejected after receiving two quick technical fouls.
The Warriors led 98-77 going into the fourth quarter and extended their lead to as many as 26 points in the final frame.
The Warriors improved their league-leading record to 45-8. Next up is what promises to be an emotional clash with the Thunder on Saturday in Durant’s first return to Oklahoma City since departing for the Warriors as a free agent prior to this season.
“It’s a bizarre event,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “You can only imagine the emotions he’s going through.”
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