SAN FRANCISCO – The “code” word came up again in the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was upset after Draymond Green fouled Zach Edey during a transition play late in the third quarter of Golden State’s 123-118 win. Edey had been playing hard, grabbing rebounds, and was ready to start a fast break when Green grabbed his leg and pulled him down.
Jenkins didn’t understand why the foul wasn’t reviewed. He said, “I know there’s a code in this league, and I don’t get how that wasn’t looked at. Very disappointing.”
The play started with Green losing the ball while trying to get past Jaren Jackson Jr., causing him to fall into Edey’s legs. Edey grabbed the ball, but Green’s left elbow got tangled with Edey’s foot, tripping the rookie center as he tried to make an outlet pass.
Edey called it “definitely not a basketball play” after the game.
Both teams were frustrated with the refereeing. Golden State coach Steve Kerr got upset with the officials towards the end of the game, and Green was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in quick succession.
Though Green and Kerr didn’t directly comment on the refereeing, Kerr said the way the game ended was “disgusting” after Memphis made a strong comeback, narrowing the Warriors’ 24-point lead to just five in the final moments.
Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart spoke out about a controversial review, saying, “We took an elbow to the face, they didn’t review it. You get your leg grabbed, they didn’t review it. It’s a problem. Just be consistent.”
This isn’t the first time “the code” has been brought up. In 2022, during a series between the Warriors and Grizzlies, Kerr criticized Dillon Brooks for a dangerous foul on Gary Payton II that caused Payton to break his elbow. Kerr said Brooks had “broken the code” by making a play that could’ve seriously hurt someone.
Later in that same series, after Ja Morant was injured, he tweeted “broke the code” in reference to a play by Jordan Poole, though he later deleted the tweet. Jackson Jr. also referred to “the code” throughout the series, signaling just how important this unwritten rule is in the game.