Gamethread: Warriors add Schroder, visit Grizzlies for key Western battle

Ja Morant questionable (back)

The Golden State Warriors have got their new talent onboarded, and it couldn’t come soon enough as they are slated to face the number two team in the West (see what I did there?), the Memphis Grizzlies. Adding Dennis Schroder will help Golden State reload for a push back into the thick of the playoff hunt after their recent slide.

The big news coming into tonight’s game is that Ja Morant showed up late last night on the Grizzlies injury report - listed as questionable due to a balky back.

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GAME DETAILS

WHO: Golden State Warriors (14-11) at Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)

WHEN: Thursday. December 19, 2024; 5pm PST

WATCH: NBCSBA

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“He’s kicked my ass on three different continents”

Coach Steve Kerr obviously has a lot of respect for Dennis Schroder so it’s going to be interesting to see where and how the Warriors deploy their newest addition. It’s extremely unlikely that Schroder will start immediately, but depending on how these matchups shake out, he could end up starting alongside Stephen Curry sooner rather than later.

“We actually need a pick-and-roll player right now,” Kerr said. “The last 10 games, our pick-and-roll efficiency is dead last in the league. Teams are loading up on Steph. You can’t ask him to run every pick-and-roll. Dennis is a pick-and-roll player. I think if you look at the league, the way it has evolved the last few years, the best offenses all have two point guards, whether it’s Dallas or Cleveland or Indiana. I think Boston has three or four guys who can run pick-and-roll. I just feel like in the modern NBA, you need multiple pick-and-roll players.”

Regardless of who starts and who comes off the bench, this is going to be a fun wrinkle for a Warriors offense that has frequently stalled when needed most.

Prediction

Schroder off the bench. Morant will play. Warriors will win.