Warriors Start Graham Ike Against Memphis Grizzlies

The Golden State Warriors adjusted their starting lineup to feature Graham Ike at center for Friday's game.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball

Warriors Start Graham Ike Against Memphis Grizzlies

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The Golden State Warriors shifted their starting lineup for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies by inserting Graham Ike into the center position. This change comes after Draymond Green started at center during the team's season-opening loss on Wednesday.

Why it matters

The Warriors implemented this lineup adjustment to improve their interior defense specifically to counter the size of Grizzlies center Zach Edey. This move marks Graham Ike's second career start as the team looks to optimize its defensive presence in the paint.

Opposing center Zach Edey stands 7'4" tall, presenting a significant interior challenge for the Warriors. This adjustment follows a performance where Walker Kessler recorded 12-of-12 shooting and 10 dunks against the team.

The players

Graham Ike

He is a professional basketball player who recently earned his second career start for the Golden State Warriors.

Stephen Curry

He is a veteran point guard for the Golden State Warriors who appeared in the starting lineup alongside Graham Ike.

Draymond Green

He is a veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who started at center in the team's season-opening game.

Zach Edey

He is a 7'4" center for the Memphis Grizzlies who the Warriors aimed to neutralize with their defensive lineup change.

The details

The updated starting lineup for Friday featured Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green, and Graham Ike. This represents a change from the season-opening loss, which saw Gui Santos start at the forward position.

Wednesday: The Warriors played their season-opening loss.
Friday: The Warriors played the Grizzlies with the new starting lineup.

Season Trajectory

This lineup modification reflects a tactical pivot following the season-opening loss to better balance the roster against physically dominant interior players. The change serves as a critical indicator of how the team will manage defensive matchups throughout the current season.

Fantasy basketball managers should note that Draymond Green’s shift away from the starting center position may impact his defensive usage statistics and overall minutes distribution. The reliance on Graham Ike suggests the team is prioritizing interior size to offset the efficiency of opposing centers.

The takeaway

Team coaching staffs frequently adjust starting lineups early in the season to better match the specific physical requirements of upcoming opponents. Fans should monitor these early-game shifts as indicators of how teams intend to address interior defense against taller competition.