SAN FRANCISCO — The referees had a quick whistle Sunday and Jordan Poole found out the hard way.
After leading the Warriors with 32 points through three-plus quarters in Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Poole got ejected for saying something on the floor. Poole also got a technical right before halftime, so he got sent to the showers early in the fourth quarter.
A possession after thinking he got fouled on a drive, Poole said something the irked the refs following a 3-pointer by Jaren Jackson Jr. It marked Poole’s first career ejection with 9:20 left in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors led by 16. They ended up winning 123-109.
— . (@HoopyHoops) December 26, 2022
Poole's technical foul was one of six techs called on the Warriors throughout the emotional meeting.
"He knows that he can't get a second one," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "He's still a young player. Jordan was fantastic tonight. We needed his offensive firepower. The way he started the game set a great tone."
Poole came out like a man on a mission, flashing his handle and aggressive mentality throughout the night. He scored 17 points in the first quarter while carrying the Warriors offense without Curry.
"He’s doing his best Steph impression and it’s so wonderful to see," Klay Thompson said.
The Warriors and refs have been at odds seemingly all season. Draymond Green was heated and got a technical on the sideline, while Jonathan Kuminga also got whistled for a tech in the second half. Ditto for Kerr. Klay Thompson capped it off with the Warriors' sixth tech when he taunted Dillon Brooks after a made 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
"We have to be more poised overall," Kerr said. "Myself included, I can't get that T."
Emotions were running high throughout the contest, as the upstart Grizzlies clashed with the defending champs in a Western Conference semifinals rematch.
