Grizzlies vanquish Warriors in Game 2 to tie playoff series

The Memphis Grizzlies bounced back from their home defeat in Game 1 to prevail over the Golden State Warriors in the second game of the semifinal round of the Western Conference playoffs,106-101.

Morant powers Memphis

Star guard Ja Morant more than made up for missing a potentially game-winning layup in the first game by leading the Grizzlies with a playoff-career high 47 points, as well as eight rebounds and eight assists.

Memphis’ defense limited the Warriors to only 18.4 percent shooting from the three-point area, with shooting star Stephen Curry recording a team-high 27 points.

The game got off to a physical start, with the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks getting kicked out of the game only minutes into Game 2, after he picked up a flagrant foul against Warriors guard Gary Payton.

Just seconds later, Golden State power forward Draymond Green had to exit the game after sustaining a blow to the face. His right eye was stitched up and he returned to the game in the second quarter.

Grizzlies ahead from the start

The Grizzlies led for most of the game, and were up five points at the end of the first half. The Warriors finally pulled ahead for the first time early in the fourth quarter after a layup by guard Jordan Poole.

However, Morant took back the lead for the Grizzlies in the last two minutes of the game. This season’s most improved player joins LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to become only the third player to tally 45 points in multiple postseason games below the age of 23.

The Grizzlies meet the Warriors for Game 3 of the semifinal round on Saturday, May 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT at Chase Center in San Francisco.