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Jordan Poole on fire, Klay clutch as Warriors down Grizzlies to open West series

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Warriors guard Klay Thompson gestures to the crowd in their game against the Nuggets on April 27, 2022. D. Ross Cameron, Shutterstock Out/EPA-EFE" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/overseas/05/02/klay.jpg"/><figcaption>Warriors guard Klay Thompson gestures to the crowd in their game against the Nuggets on April 27, 2022. <em>D. Ross Cameron, Shutterstock Out/EPA-EFE</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>WASHINGTON -- (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) Reserve guard Jordan Poole had 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to power Golden State over Memphis 117-116 in an NBA playoff series opener Sunday despite the ejection of Draymond Green.</p><p>Klay Thompson sank the decisive 3-pointer with 36.6 seconds remaining and the Warriors denied Grizzlies playmaker Ja Morant twice in the final seconds.</p><p>&quot;Big win for us to start the series, get home court advantage,&quot; Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. &quot;And get greedy in the second game.&quot;</p><p>The Western Conference second round best-of-seven matchup will continue Tuesday at Memphis.</p><p>Curry added 24 points for Golden State while Andrew Wiggins had 17 and Thompson 15.</p><p>Morant had 34 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and Jaren Jackson had 33 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis.</p><div><strong>HIGHLIGHTS:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5Y0NY_nV68?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>The Warriors were delivered a major setback when forward Green, a star defender in Golden State&#x27;s title runs in 2015, 2017 and 2018, was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant-2 foul, striking Brandon Clarke in the face and pulling him down by the jersey.</p><p>&quot;This is a huge game to win, especially with him going out early,&quot; Poole said. &quot;We were able to fill in for the energy he has.&quot;</p><p>The Warriors responded with a strong third-quarter start.</p><p>&quot;We were determined,&quot; Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. &quot;We knew that was a tough break that didn&#x27;t go our way. We were shocked by the decision. We went on a run in the third quarter to get the lead. That established we weren&#x27;t going anywhere.&quot;</p><p>Poole scored a playoff career high in 38 minutes off the bench, hitting 12-of-20 from the floor and 5-of-10 from 3-point range.</p><p>&quot;He&#x27;s a hooper, ultimate confidence in himself,&quot; Curry said. &quot;You can&#x27;t teach that preparation for the moment. You either have it or you don&#x27;t and he does.&quot;</p><p>Poole led the Warriors with 14 first-half points and added 10 in the third quarter as Golden State took a 91-90 lead.</p><p>&quot;At the core we&#x27;ve got championship DNA and we want to utilize that,&quot; Curry said. &quot;At this stage that&#x27;s what it&#x27;s all about.&quot;</p><p>Poole scored seven points in a 12-3 run to open the fourth and give the Warriors a 103-93 lead before the Grizzlies battled back.</p><p>Thompson missed two late free throws and Memphis had a final shot but Morant missed a driving layup at the buzzer.</p><p>&quot;He had a great look. It just didn&#x27;t happen to go in,&quot; Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. &quot;I love the way our guys competed. It just wasn&#x27;t good enough.&quot;</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

Jordan Poole scored 31 points, as Golden State outlasted Memphis in a 117-116 win in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals Sunday.