GSW v Grizzlies: Ja Morant Aims Dig at Dubs Ahead of Christmas Clash

• Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has fired a warning to Golden State Warriors
• The Grizzlies and the Warriors have a budding rivalry following their playoff last season
• The Warriors go into the game after suffering two heavy defeats at the hands of New York

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant had aimed a dig at the Golden State Warriors, ahead of their Christmas Day showdown with reigning NBA champions.

The two faced off in a fiery second-round playoff clash last season, but the Warriors won in six games en route to their 2022 NBA championship glory.

Despite being one of the youngest teams in the NBA, they have cemented their credentials not only as a playoff team, but also as a title contender.

They are tied 19-11 with the Denver Nuggets on top of the Western Conference, while the Warriors suffered a horrible 30-point defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

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The Christmas Day match-up will be the first game since the eventful second-round clash, but Finals MVP Stephen Curry will be out as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Ja Morant's warning to GSW

Speaking to ESPN, Morant said no team concerns him in the West, naming the Boston Celtics as the Grizzlies' only threat, when asked who he feels his team must go through to win the title.

"Nah, I'm fine in the West," he said via CBS Sports.

The Warriors have started 15-17 but their home record is solid, therefore the Christmas Day clash may be a closer affair than many think.

The Grizzlies beat the Warriors in the 2021 play-in game, eliminating the Dubs from playoff contention and sending Memphis to the post-season.

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NBA

Players from both teams engaged in highly-publicised spats in the build-up to last season's playoff game. The Christmas showdown will be the first Christmas game for the Grizzlies, per Sportsnet.

Fans react to GSW blowout

Sports Brief earlier reported on NBA fans' reaction to the Warriors' defeat by 30 points at the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets won 143-113, a game which included a 91-point first half.

In their previous game, the Dubs lost to the New York Knicks 132-94, extending the Warriors' poor form on the road.

Many fans felt the defeat was forthcoming since Steve Kerr's side didn't have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Andrew Wiggins.