Andrew Wiggins scores 24 points as undermanned Warriors missing Stephen Curry beat Memphis 121-113

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points, Dennis Schroder added 17 and the undermanned Golden State Warriors held off the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113 on Saturday night in the latest testy matchup between the rivals.

Lindy Waters III scored 16 with four 3-pointers off the bench on a night the Warriors missed Stephen Curry along with fellow guards Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 points and Desmond Bane had 22 points and 10 assists as Memphis wrapped up a five-game road trip.

Physical play is always the norm with these teams and it became heated 36 seconds into the fourth quarter. Draymond Green was issued a flagrant 1 foul against Zach Edey, then Green received his eighth technical of the season at the 10:51 mark.

Grizzlies star rookie Jaylen Wells was held to eight points a night after scoring 30 with eight 3-pointers in a victory over the Kings.

Grizzlies: Wells missed all five 3-point tries. .... Ja Morant missed his fourth consecutive game and will be re-evaluated once the team returns home with the hope he soon will begin on-court activities while recovering from a right AC joint strain.

Warriors: Curry rested for the first game of a back-to-back as management of his troublesome knees. Podziemski has right abdominal tightness and missed his third straight game while Payton is still nursing a strained left calf he injured Christmas Day against the Lakers. He was cleared to begin individual work on the court and will be evaluated again next week.

Wiggins scored seven straight points midway through the third quarter, including a four-point play, that helped put Golden State ahead 81-71. He had two timely dunks down the stretch.

Schroder dished out nine of Golden State's 32 assists.

The Grizzlies host Dallas on Monday night, while the Warriors continue their six-game homestand when the Kings visit Sunday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins gestures to the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Lindy Waters III, bottom, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., right, catches a pass while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson, front left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Dennis Schröder, right, moves the ball next to Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Dennis Schröder, right, tries to pass the ball while defended by Memphis Grizzlies center Jay Huff during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)