The Long View · Morning

Up 12 With 3:34 Left, 0-2 Now: Phoenix Asks Who Closes

The Warriors' problem in the home opener was not the first 45 minutes but the last three, and Saturday in Phoenix may ask for those minutes from a thinner group.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 24

Golden State led Memphis 106-94 with 3:34 left and lost 111-108 after a 17-0 Grizzlies run, which leaves the Warriors 0-2 and 14th in the West. They play the Suns tonight on NBA TV, and NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski are not expected to play.

Warriors Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What actually went wrong?

Not the third quarter, which Golden State won 34-22 on an 11-0 run. An 8-0 burst early in the fourth made it 103-92, and the lead reached 12. Then Memphis scored 17 straight. Ty Jerome's layup made it 111-106 with ten seconds left. Green's offensive foul with 12 seconds to go was his fifth turnover, and Kerr drew a technical on the play. Yaxel Lendeborg's two free throws at the buzzer only trimmed the final margin.

Who was on the floor?

The closing group for the last five minutes was Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Graham Ike, Curry and Lendeborg. Melton finished minus-17 in 21 minutes and Ike minus-16 in 12. Gui Santos, a starter, was plus-14 in 20. Lendeborg played 38 minutes with 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and six turnovers. That is a heavy load for a rookie, and it was spent partly on a lineup that could not protect a lead.

What does Phoenix change?

Everything about the rotation, if the reports hold. Golden State of Mind carried Curry's answer about playing in Phoenix as "Probably not," and Butler is listed out until at least January 2. The Suns are 0-1 under Jordan Ott, with Mark Williams out and Luke Kennard day-to-day, but Devin Booker averaged 26.1 points last season. Charles Bassey is listed with a return date of today.

What is the open question?

The number to remember is 17-0. Next come Denver on Monday, Minnesota on Wednesday and the Lakers on October 30. Kerr has to find a group that can hold a lead without Curry on the floor, because that stretch will not wait for the veterans to be healthy.

Will Stephen Curry play against the Suns on October 24?

NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Curry and Brandin Podziemski are not expected to play. Golden State of Mind quoted Curry as saying "Probably not."

How did the Warriors lose to the Grizzlies?

They led 106-94 with 3:34 left and lost 111-108 after Memphis scored 17 straight points. Golden State is 0-2 and 14th in the West.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.