If contrasting styles make for great fights, then Friday night’s play-in game between the Grizzlies and Warriors should be a doozy.
Memphis is known for its interior attack, as it led the NBA in both points in the paint per game (55.8) and second-chance points per game (15.0). Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is relentless in his assaults on the rim, and center Jonas Valanciunas has been pushing around opposing big men all season long.
Golden State, on the other hand, enjoys launching from deep. The Warriors finished in the top five in both 3-point field goals made (14.6) and attempted (38.7) per game. That’s no surprise considering leading scorer Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history.
Which team will earn the right to face the top-seeded Jazz in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs?
Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Warriors vs. Grizzlies. Follow along here for complete results from the NBA play-in tournament game.
MORE: Watch Warriors vs. Grizzlies live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Warriors vs. Grizzlies score
| Play-in game | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Warriors | 29 | 20 | — | — | — |
| Grizzlies | 30 | 32 | — | — | — |
Warriors vs. Grizzlies live updates, highlights from NBA play-in game
(All times Eastern)
Halftime: Grizzlies 62, Warriors 49
10:20 p.m. — The Grizzlies didn’t just survive without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas. They built up a double-digit advantage heading into the locker room. Ja Morant has a team-high 12 points to go with three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
10:05 p.m. — Wow. Jaren Jackson Jr. is called for his third foul. It looks like the Grizzlies will have to play the rest of the first half without two of their starters.
10 p.m. — And there’s foul No. 3 on Jonas Valanciunas. That could loom large.
9:55 p.m. — Kevon Looney, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas have each picked up two fouls early in the first half. It will be interesting to see how the coaches handle their rotations if foul trouble becomes an issue.
End of first quarter: Grizzlies 30, Warriors 29
9:45 p.m. — Uh oh. Stephen Curry is heating up.
9:40 p.m. — Ja Morant showing off the fancy footwork:
9:30 p.m. — Does this count as a dunk?
9:25 p.m. — What a start for Memphis. The Grizzlies jump out to a 16-6 lead after hitting their first six field goal attempts.
9:15 p.m. — The Warriors win the tip, and Kent Bazemore drains a corner 3-pointer on the first possession of the game. Here we go.
9:10 p.m. — Just another normal warm-up shot for Stephen Curry:
8:55 p.m. — And Golden State’s starting five: Stephen Curry, Kent Bazemore, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.
8:45 p.m. — Memphis’ starting five: Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas.
8:35 p.m. — How would you grade the play-in outfits for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.?
8:25 p.m. — Kevon Looney just put in his application to be a “Splash Brother.”
Warriors vs. Grizzlies start time
- Date: Friday, May 21
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch ESPN | fuboTV
Grizzlies vs. Warriors will be broadcast live on ESPN. You can live stream the game via Watch ESPN or the Watch ESPN app.
Play-in games on ESPN can also be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
May 18
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wizards vs. Celtics | 9 p.m. | TNT |
May 19
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
May 20
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Pacers vs. Wizards | 8 p.m. | TNT |
May 21
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Grizzlies vs. Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |