During a dominant 133-112 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night at FedExForum, Malevy Leons stood out as a key contributor for the Golden State Warriors despite narrowly missing double-digit scoring. Leons, who has been sparingly used this season with just 21 NBA minutes prior to this game, played an impactful 18 minutes that helped the Warriors secure a crucial win. His performance highlighted the growing presence of Dutch basketball talent in the NBA and energized the team’s effort in a contest pivotal for maintaining momentum.
Shared Dutch Roots Fuel on-Court Chemistry
Leons, on a two-way contract, nearly became the ninth Warrior to reach double figures in points, falling just one shy with nine points. His fellow Dutch teammate Quinten Post, who also hails from the Netherlands, expressed pride in their shared heritage during halftime.
“It’s really cool for Dutch basketball history for us to be on the court together,”
Post told broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike.
“I’ve known Mal since I was 13, something like that. We played together in Amsterdam, so really cool to share the court here with him.”
This rare pairing of two Dutch players on the same NBA team marks a milestone for basketball in their home country.
Leons also reflected on the experience, saying,
“It’s funny to see a familiar face in the states like this. I don’t think it happens often for Dutch guys to be on the same team,”
in an interview with Warriors Radio’s Tim Roye after the game. Both players embrace their role as international ambassadors while contributing significantly on the court.
Warriors’ Fast Start Diminishes Memphis Resistance
Injuries had left the Warriors short-handed, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to deploy all nine available players right from the first quarter. This strategy fueled a quick offensive surge, with every Warrior scoring in the initial frame. The team’s fast and effective execution starkly contrasted their previous night’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors’ ability to jump out ahead early proved decisive in overcoming the Grizzlies.
The scoring frenzy included 34 first-quarter points, featuring five three-pointers and 10 assisted baskets out of 14 made shots. Golden State’s ball movement remained fluid in the second quarter, outpacing Memphis 40-22. By halftime, the Warriors held a commanding 21-point lead at 74-53, shooting an impressive 55.3% from the field and 48.1% from three-point range, supported by 20 assists to just seven turnovers. This offensive cohesion carried through the rest of the game, culminating in a robust 53.3% shooting overall and 41.3% from beyond the arc, while tallying 19 threes.
Coach Steve Kerr Applauds Team’s Passing and Energy
Steve Kerr praised the Warriors’ shared effort and ball movement, saying,
“We were able to move the ball really well, 37 assists, and just a really good night for everybody who stepped on the floor.”
This efficient sharing of the ball was a hallmark of their strong recent performances, including a previous upset win over the Denver Nuggets. In that game, the Warriors set a season-high with 76 first-half points and connected on 15 threes with excellent passing metrics.
In contrast, their struggle against the Pelicans was marked by poor ball movement and offensive stagnation, managing only 19 first-quarter points with twice as many turnovers as assists, contributing significantly to the loss. This inconsistency underscores how critical teamwork and control are for the Warriors’ success.
Key Veteran Contributions and Impact of Injuries
Veteran center Al Horford played a vital role in the Warriors’ victories, delivering a solid all-around performance with 32 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and three blocks across two wins. His presence on the court consistently correlated with positive outcomes, as reflected in a combined plus-26 rating. Horford, at 39 years old, has provided stability amid roster challenges.
Conversely, Draymond Green’s availability and performance have fluctuated this season. Green participated in the lone recent loss and was a minus-7 in the first half of that game before improving in the second half. However, his absence in the two victories further highlighted Horford’s steady influence. As Green approaches 36, the team’s reliance on Horford’s consistency grows.
Malevy Leons Delivers Energetic Hustle and Versatility
Leons’ return to meaningful NBA minutes came after over three weeks, having last played three-plus minutes in a blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. His activity and energy were immediately evident as he grabbed three rebounds, two on offense, in the first quarter alone. Leons opened his scoring by capitalizing on a missed 3-point attempt by Brandin Podziemski, executing a quick swim move past Taylor Hendricks to secure an offensive rebound and score.
His relentless effort continued in the second quarter, where he collected three more offensive rebounds. One of those rebounds led to an assist to Will Richard cutting toward the basket, and another resulted in a kick-out pass to Pat Spencer, who promptly made a three-pointer. Over 18 minutes, Leons finished with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting, including a three-pointer, tied for the team lead with eight rebounds, and led all players with five offensive rebounds. Defensively, Leons contributed two steals and a blocked shot, ending with a plus-3 rating.
Coach Kerr Commends Leons’ Defensive and Offensive Contributions
Steve Kerr expressed high regard for Leons’ performance, stating,
“I thought Malevy was awesome. Just the energy, defending without fouling, creating some problems for them at the defensive end of the floor and then making some nice plays on offense too. Was fun to watch him play.”
Kerr’s recognition highlights how Leons executed his role flawlessly, balancing effort on both ends of the floor.
Standing 6-foot-9 and aged 26, Leons brings valuable experience, having played six games last season with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. His focus in Memphis was clear: compete, defend, and rebound with intensity.
“Just play as hard as possible and good things will happen,”
Leons said.
Journey of Malevy Leons and Future Potential
The Warriors signed Leons to a two-way contract on December 8, 2025. His G League statistics with the Santa Cruz Warriors underscore his promise — averaging 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds over 17 games, including 11 outings scoring at least 15 points. Leons’ basketball journey began at age eight, inspired by watching the 2010 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. His development from those early days culminated in impactful NBA minutes that helped renew the Warriors’ cohesive identity.
Leons’ performance against Memphis provided a vital spark as the Warriors prepare for a prime-time home matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at Chase Center. His ability to energize the team reflects both personal growth and the broader Warriors strategy to blend veteran leadership with emerging talent.
Splash and swat 😤
Al Horford's on both ends of the floor. pic.twitter.com/niqGO6YyhZ
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 26, 2026
MALEVY LEONS SHAKE AND BAKE 😤
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/7CcJcICf7g
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 26, 2026
