During Monday night’s thrilling 114–113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chose to lean on veteran center Al Horford instead of longtime team leader Draymond Green in the final minutes. This strategic move, influenced heavily by the ongoing absence of star guard Stephen Curry, played a crucial role in the Warriors’ late-game execution.
The Warriors finished strong, mounting an 11–0 run capped by Gui Santos’ game-winning putback, while Green remained on the bench as Horford anchored the closing lineup. Kerr attributed this choice largely to the difficulty of managing dual-big lineups without Curry’s presence on the floor.
Challenges in Lineup Construction Without Stephen Curry
On Tuesday, Kerr provided further context about the impact of Curry’s absence on the team’s offensive spacing and lineup flexibility. He explained that without Curry’s unique floor spacing and shooting gravity, Golden State’s margin for error shrinks considerably, forcing a more deliberate focus on interior scoring and spacing around the big men late in games.
Al in the Phoenix game and last night was playing so well,
Kerr said, via the San Francisco Chronicle.
And I think without Steph, it’s easier for us to score if Al is at the five and then we space the floor around him.
Kerr also addressed the difficulty of running Horford and Green simultaneously without Curry’s gravity pulling defenders away.
It’s harder to find lineup combinations without Steph where we can play Dray at the four,
Kerr elaborated.
If Al is playing like that — scoring inside and dominating the glass — then yeah, we’re going to play Al. Without Steph, it’s tough to put those guys together. Right now, it’s kind of an either-or.
Golden State’s Comeback Fueled by Defense and Interior Strength
The Warriors overcame a deficit as large as 17 points by locking down Memphis defensively, limiting the Grizzlies to only five points in the last eight minutes of the game. This rally echoed a similar 14-point comeback against the Phoenix Suns just days earlier, in which Green also sat out the crucial closing moments.
Horford replaced Green with 8:23 remaining after a Green turnover allowed Memphis to stretch its lead to 108–95. From that point, Golden State controlled the boards, sharpened their defensive rotations, and methodically erased the deficit.
Green’s playing time has become more limited as well, logging just 24 minutes in each of the Warriors’ last two victories.
Draymond Green’s Performance and Early Exit from Late-Game Lineups
Despite a productive night offensively—scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting—Green committed seven turnovers against Memphis, with the final turnover prompting Kerr to shift lineups late in the fourth quarter. Similarly, during the comeback win in Phoenix, Green contributed five points on three attempts and five rebounds but watched the decisive closing minutes from the bench.
Approaching his 36th birthday, Green remains an essential leader for Golden State; however, his role in crunch time has become more flexible as the team adapts to injuries and evolving roster dynamics.
Front Office Clarifies Reports on Green’s Trade Possibility
Rumors had circulated that Draymond Green was part of Golden State’s trade considerations in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo, but no deal came to fruition. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. strongly dismissed claims that Green’s future with the team was ever uncertain.
The idea that he stayed with the Warriors past the deadline was greatly exaggerated,
Dunleavy stated.
It was never a possibility of him not being here, remotely close to me.
Green later reflected on the situation on The Draymond Green Show, acknowledging that discussions with the front office did create some ambiguity, even if no immediate moves were on the table.
If we were to do a deal for Giannis, you or Jimmy would have to be in the trade just to make it work,
Green said.
Adjusting Team Dynamics Amid Injury and Playoff Pressure
With Stephen Curry sidelined and the postseason hunt intensifying, Kerr’s approach to managing the roster emphasizes fit and functionality over established hierarchy. This strategy involves reshaping traditional roles and trying different lineup combinations to secure wins in a competitive environment.
Monday’s comeback victory underscored that the Warriors remain resilient and adaptable, capable of finding effective solutions on the court, even as their personnel and roles continue to evolve during the season.
Draymond discusses how crazy things got in the days leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline and his conversation with Mike Dunleavy
“He said "We've spoke about Giannis, we spoke about what picks we'd send them, we haven't really talked about the players that would go back yet…… pic.twitter.com/y8mN6nNJgB
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) February 7, 2026
