Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors

Chase Center in San Francisco is set for a high-energy clash on Monday, October 27, 2025, as the Golden State Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies at 10:00 PM ET. The matchup carries early-season significance for both sides, with Golden State looking to build on its strong home form and Memphis hoping to prove that depth and defense can compensate for an injury-hit roster. It’s a familiar rivalry renewed — two Western Conference teams that have developed a fiery competitive edge over the past few years.

The Grizzlies arrive in the Bay Area with a long list of absentees. Brandon Clarke continues his recovery from a torn Achilles, rookie center Zach Edey remains sidelined with ankle soreness, while Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Vince Williams Jr. are all ruled out due to various injuries. Ja Morant is cleared to play after sitting out part of the preseason, and his leadership will be crucial in keeping Memphis’ offense dynamic. On the Warriors’ side, Al Horford is out with a back issue, and De’Anthony Melton won’t feature due to a hamstring injury, but the core group of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green is available and fully engaged.

Steve Kerr’s approach for Golden State remains rooted in rhythm and precision. His motion offense continues to prioritize spacing, cutting, and constant ball movement to create open looks for Curry and Thompson. Golden State Warriors are expected to attack Memphis through pace and quick rotations, exploiting the Grizzlies’ limited bench depth. On the opposite sideline, interim coach Tuomas Iisalo is steering Memphis toward a defense-first identity. His tactical setup relies on aggressive switching, tight interior defense anchored by Jaren Jackson Jr., and pushing the tempo in transition when opportunities arise. With several key players out, Iisalo will likely shorten his rotation and depend on Morant’s creativity to keep the game competitive.

The press narrative before tip-off has focused on the contrast between Golden State’s stability and Memphis’ adversity. Local Bay Area coverage has described this as a game the Warriors “must control from start to finish,” emphasizing discipline and defensive rebounding to prevent any surprise runs from the undermanned Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Memphis reporters have framed this matchup as a character test — a chance for the younger players to step up under the bright lights and for Morant to reassert his leadership against one of the league’s most experienced lineups.

Across national broadcasts, studio analysts have described the meeting as a benchmark game for both squads. Many believe the Warriors’ experience, home-court energy, and shooting depth will give them the edge, but they’ve also cautioned that Memphis’ defensive intensity could make things difficult if Golden State’s offense slows down. Analysts have particularly highlighted the duel between Curry and Morant as a focal point — not just for scoring fireworks but as a battle of tempo control. Most predictions favor Golden State to pull away late, though some have left the door open for a potential upset if Memphis manages to dictate the early rhythm and control the glass.