Time and again, Stephen Curry called for his Golden State Warriors to be better, to learn from the glaring mistakes and road losses that piled up in frustrating fashion and with little explanation as to why.
If they do, there’s a possibility of LeBron James and the Lakers would be up next in an all-California Western Conference semi-final. The Warriors are whole at last, too. Andrew Wiggins is back after a two-month absence for a personal matter. Gary Payton II is coming off the bench again as a defensive stopper just like he did last year after beginning this season with the Trail Blazers. Jordan Poole is finding his post-season groove and Kevon Looney keeps securing rebounds at an outrageous rate on both ends after coming up big on the playoff stage in 2022.
To the south of the Bay Area, the Lakers will try again to close out the Grizzlies in Los Angeles, where Memphis hasn’t won this season. The Grizzlies are 2-1 in Game 6s on the road and trying to force just the third Game 7 in franchise history. This franchise has won just four games facing elimination in 13 playoff appearances ever.