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Warriors' Steve Kerr Rips Grizzlies for 'Dirty' Play in Game 2
May 4, 2022
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn't hold back when discussing the Memphis Grizzlies' tactics early in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinal series Tuesday at FedExForum.
During Kerr's on-court interview after the first quarter, he said of Memphis' play, "That wasn't physical, that was dirty."
A high level of physicality is expected in the playoffs, but Kerr wasn't happy with what he saw in the opening frame.
The Warriors announced that Draymond Green required stitches for a laceration around his right eye. Green was temporarily taken out of the contest after catching an elbow from Xavier Tillman.
Gary Payton II, meanwhile, was unable to return after suffering a left elbow injury. Dillon Brooks earned a flagrant-2 foul when made contact with Payton's head and knocked the Warriors guard into the basket stanchion.
Golden State had to overcome a level of adversity to win Game 1, as Green was ejected with 1:18 left in the second quarter. Game 2 presented another challenge for Golden State, and an eventual loss as Memphis would pull out a 106-101 win Tuesday night.
The injury to Payton will also be costly. The 29-year-old was a valuable role player in the regular season, averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists. He basically equaled that production (7.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.5 AST) in the team's first five playoff games.
