In the first quarter of Game 2 between the Warriors and Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks smashed Gary Payton II in the head as he was going in for a layup. Brooks was ejected from the game while Payton sustained an elbow injury
The Western Conference semifinals between the Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies is living up to the hype.
The Warriors had a chance to sweep the first two games at FedExForum, but Grizzlies star Ja Morant had other ideas as he dropped in a playoff career-high tying 47 points to lead Memphis to a 106-101 win Tuesday night, evening the series at one game apiece.
Shortly after the final buzzer, Morant passed Steph Curry and had some playful banter for the Warriors star.
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Morant confirmed to reporters what he said to Curry.
"I was frustrated with myself with missing that layup in Game 1," Morant told reporters after the game. "Had some friendly words with Steph, after Game 1 he came to me and Jaren [Jackson Jr.] and said, 'It's going to be a battle, we're going to have some fun.' I was able to return that message tonight."
Curry finished with a team-high 27 points in the Game 2 loss.
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The two stars traded shots in the fourth quarter, with Curry hitting a pair of clutch 3-pointers. But Morant was there with an answer every single time, finishing with 18 points in the period to seal the win.
RELATED: Kerr chastises Brooks, who "broke the code" after fracturing GP2's elbow
The fun takes a three-day break as the series shifts to the Bay Area with Game 3 on Saturday night. Curry, Morant and everyone else gets time to rest (and heal) up before the pivotal swing game at Chase Center.