The Warriors and Grizzlies added another chapter to their rivalry Wednesday night on Golden State's home floor.
Warriors star Draymond Green, who often finds himself in these situations, got tangled up with Santi Aldama after the Grizzlies big scored. A few words and minor shoves were exchanged, but the animosity went no further — at least in the immediate moment.
Soon after, though, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins spoke to the referees during a stoppage in play, and Green was listening in to the conversation. That prompted Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane to shove Green away.
The two forwards went toe-to-toe — and in the process, they knocked over Jenkins. Both players earned a technical foul, and Jenkins got up unscathed.
Warriors and Grizzlies get chippy 😳
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 21, 2024
Draymond and Desmond Bane's confrontation led to Memphis' coach Taylor Jenkins getting knocked to the ground
(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/OuPnyQVXpl
Thursday's scuffle is not the first time that these franchises have butted heads, and it's likely not the last time, either. So here's a breakdown of the ongoing beef between the Warriors and Grizzlies.
Warriors vs. Grizzlies rivalry, explained
The beef between the two franchises began in 2021, when the Warriors and Grizzlies faced off in the final game of the regular season to determine who would earn the No. 8 seed in the postseason — and therefore a more favorable spot in the Play-In Tournament.
Golden State won, but Steph Curry's squad had to face the Grizzlies again in the play-in competition. And that time around, the Grizzlies won and sent the Warriors home.
The Grizzlies also felt some animosity toward Golden State great Andre Iguodala, who was traded from the Warriors to the Grizzlies in 2019. He didn't suit up for a single game in Memphis and eventually was traded to the Heat before finally rejoining the Warriors after the 2020-21 season.
When the Grizzlies defeated the Warriors during the 2021-22 regular season, Jaren Jackson Jr. mocked the Warriors "Strength in Numbers" slogan.
Strength in numbers 👏🏾
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) March 29, 2022
To end that season, the teams met in the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors were eyeing a fourth title, and the Grizzlies were looking to establish a fresh face out of the West.
Golden State's Gary Payton II broke his elbow in an altercation with Memphis' Dillon Brooks, who was ejected from Game 2 as a result.
The Warriors ultimately won the series, 4-2, and went on to win the title. Klay Thompson immediately spoke on Jackson's tweet from earlier that season, calling him a "bum" who has never "been there before."
The teams kept up the back-and forth in the 2022-23 season, with Brooks in particular expounding on his dislike for Green and for the Warriors.
"I don't like Draymond at all," Brooks said in March 2023. "I just don't like Golden State. I don't like anything to do with them. Draymond talks a lot. Gets away with a lot, too. His game is cool -- with Golden State -- but if you put him anywhere else, you're not going to know who Draymond is. He plays with heart, plays hard, knows the ins and outs of their defense. I guess that's why they like him over there."
Brooks left the Grizzlies at the end of that campaign, joining the Rockets as part of a sign-and-trade agreement. But even without him fanning the flames, the teams still are keeping their rivalry fresh deep into the 2023-24 season.
