Draymond Green believes it’s time for Jaren Jackson Jr. to take the next step in his development by avoiding foul trouble.
“He’s too good to still be getting in foul trouble,” Green said after the Golden State Warriors’ 134-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, via Anthony Slater. “A couple of those he picked up, he can stay away from those. It’s time for him to take that next step in that department.”
Jackson finished with 22 points but struggled with foul issues once again, limiting his ability to impact the game on both ends.
Stephen Curry stole the spotlight with a 52-point masterpiece, hitting 12 three-pointers and leading the Warriors past Memphis in a critical Western Conference matchup.
With the win, Golden State (44-31) overtook Memphis (44-32) for fifth place in the standings, tightening the playoff race with only a few games left in the regular season.
Curry erupted for 32 points in the first half alone, sinking his first five shots and setting the tone early for the Warriors.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and six assists, keeping Memphis within striking distance, but the team couldn’t overcome Golden State’s offensive firepower.
The Warriors built a 45-32 lead after the first quarter behind Curry’s hot shooting, forcing Memphis to play catch-up the rest of the night.
Despite closing the gap to 70-66 at halftime, the Grizzlies couldn’t contain Curry and struggled to keep pace in the second half.
Golden State’s efficiency at the free-throw line proved to be a difference-maker, as the Warriors went a perfect 28-of-28 from the stripe compared to Memphis’ 19-of-22.
Curry shot 16-of-31 from the field and 12-of-20 from deep, adding 10 rebounds and eight assists in a near triple-double performance.
Jimmy Butler chipped in with 27 points, while Green recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Memphis’ struggles continued as the team dropped its fourth straight game, sliding further down the standings and inching closer to the play-in tournament.
Rookie big man Zach Edey grabbed 16 rebounds for the Grizzlies, helping them stay competitive on the boards, but the Warriors still held a slight 49-43 rebounding edge.
Desmond Bane finished with 19 points, while Santi Aldama added 18 off the bench, but Memphis’ bench production was outmatched by Golden State’s depth.
The Warriors also forced 16 turnovers, with Curry and Green combining for seven steals to fuel transition opportunities.
Golden State secured the season series against Memphis with a 3-1 advantage, giving them a key tiebreaker in the Western Conference standings.
The Grizzlies, who were as high as the second seed in early February, now find themselves clinging to sixth place as the regular season winds down.
Green’s comments on Jackson reflect a crucial area of improvement for the Grizzlies’ big man, who has struggled with foul issues throughout his career.
As Memphis fights to avoid the play-in, Jackson’s ability to stay on the floor without foul trouble will be crucial for the team’s playoff hopes.
The Warriors will look to strengthen their hold on the fifth seed in their next matchup, while the Grizzlies aim to bounce back and stop their late-season skid.
