Warriors top Grizzlies 97-84 despite injury-depleted roster

OAKLAND - Klay Thompson scored 27 of his 29 points in the first half and made his first nine field goals, leading the undermanned Golden State Warriors past the Memphis Grizzlies 97-84 on Wednesday night for their 10th consecutive win.

Kevin Durant added 22 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots as defending champion Golden State was down five regulars again, including two-time MVP Stephen Curry out for his sixth game in a row with a sprained right ankle.

Thompson shot 10 for 16 overall and didn't miss until a 3-point try with 6:10 left before halftime.

Curry tweeted in the midst of Thompson's hot start: “Somebody is having a great game!”

Thompson received a rare technical - his seventh in seven seasons - with 10:22 left in the game for arguing when he thought he was fouled.

Marc Gasol had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Memphis, which started a stretch with seven of eight games on the road. The Grizzlies were 10 of 44 in the second half, shot 12 for 31 from 3-point range and committed 17 turnovers.

Omri Casspi came off the bench to contribute 12 points and six rebounds. While coach Steve Kerr would far prefer a healthy roster, he appreciates the opportunities many of his role players are receiving to play more significant an important minutes.

“I like it,” said Kerr, who certainly wasn't going to be pleased with the 16 turnovers.

The Warriors began a seven-game homestand in a stretch with nine of 10 games at home before next playing away from Oracle Arena on Jan. 3 at Dallas.

CURRY ON COURT

Curry did some light on-court work at morning shootaround a day after the Warriors said the two-time MVP would be out at least another week with the ankle injury. Kerr said it was Curry's first time moving laterally, and he wouldn't scrimmage or practice before being examined again.

“He had a good day today. He was working out with Steve Nash and Q (Bruce Fraser) and got a lot of good stuff and it looked like he was moving pretty well,” Kerr said. “A good sign.”

Golden State has won all six games since Curry injured the ankle on Dec. 4 at New Orleans.

Curry will miss two more games this week, as well as the Christmas Day showdown against Cleveland before getting evaluated again.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Memphis beat the Warriors 111-101 at home on Oct. 21. Now, the Grizzlies started and will end Golden State's homestand, returning to Oracle Arena on Dec. 30. They play at Phoenix twice in six nights beginning Thursday, going home in the middle before a second visit to the desert next Tuesday. ... Rookie Ivan Rabb, who's from Oakland and attended Cal in nearby Berkeley, made a late appearance.

Warriors: Thompson's first-half points were his most in any half this season. ... Also out for the Warriors were Andre Iguodala (flu-like symptoms), Draymond Green (right shoulder soreness), Shaun Livingston (sore right knee) and Zaza Pachulia (left shoulder soreness). Pachulia, who missed playing on his bobblehead night, could do contact work in practice as soon as Thursday when Green is expected to scrimmage after sitting out five of the last six games. ... Golden State had just two fast-break points.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Complete a back-to-back at Phoenix Thursday.

Warriors: Host the Lakers on Friday night after a 116-114 overtime win Monday at Los Angeles. Golden State has won the last five meetings with the Lakers overall and nine in a row at home.