The Golden State Warriors held off the Memphis Grizzlies 122-120 in a thriller televised on ESPN on Wednesday night. Golden State’s Jordan Poole made the game-winner on a layup with one second remaining.
That came shortly after Warriors superstar Steph Curry was ejected in a two-point game, and his frustration was actually over a shot Jordan Poole took, rather than being directed at the officials.
While the Grizzlies were dribbling the ball up the floor and trailing 116-114, play was stopped and Curry was ejected. There was much confusion initially, with ESPN play-by-play man Ryan Ruocco among those not understanding the ejection, and in a crucial moment of the game (and during a nationally televised game).
But replays showed the reasoning for the ejection.
Curry was frustrated at the shot selection of Poole and proceeded to throw his mouthpiece, leading to the ejection.
This is the third time Curry has been ejected over his prestigious 14-year NBA career. And, incredibly, all three times have been due to Curry throwing his mouthpiece.
Curry was also ejected for throwing a mouthpiece during a game against the Grizzlies in 2017, and he was even ejected from Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals vs the Cleveland Cavaliers for doing so.
Steph has been ejected three times in his career, all for throwing his mouthpiece, per Warriors PR.
Tonight vs Memphis
10/21/17 at Memphis
2016 Finals Game 6 at Cavs— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) January 26, 2023
After Wednesday night’s game ended, Curry was waiting in the tunnel to give Poole a congratulatory hug. Poole jokingly threw his mouthpiece as he approached Curry.
[Photo Credit: NBC Sports Bay Area]
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.