Graham Ike Joins Warriors Starting Lineup
The team moved Ike into the starting five for Friday's game to strengthen interior defense.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball
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The Golden State Warriors adjusted their starting lineup on Friday for the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, moving center Graham Ike into the starting five. The change comes following the team's season-opening loss on Wednesday.
Why it matters
The decision to start Ike signals a defensive recalibration for the Warriors, as the team looks to better manage the physical presence of opposing centers like Zach Edey. The lineup shift aims to address interior challenges that emerged in the season opener.
The Warriors rotated their lineup after Walker Kessler notched 12-of-12 shooting and 10 dunks in their previous outing. The coaching staff opted for the 7'4" Zach Edey's arrival as the specific impetus for starting Graham Ike.
The players
Golden State Warriors
San Francisco's professional basketball team that is currently refining its starting rotation.
Graham Ike
The center who joined the starting lineup in only his second career game.
Draymond Green
A veteran Warriors forward who shifted from the center position to open up the middle of the floor.
The details
In a departure from the season-opening loss, the Warriors started Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green, and Graham Ike. Draymond Green, who played center in Wednesday's loss, moved out of the center spot to accommodate the new look. The adjustment focuses on countering the interior size of opponents like Zach Edey.
Timeline
Wednesday: The Warriors lost their season-opening game.
Friday: The team debuted the new starting lineup against the Grizzlies.
Across the Bay
The move to start Graham Ike serves as a direct tactical pivot following the Warriors season-opening loss. It marks a shift from the previous rotation that struggled to contain opposing interior scoring.
If you are following the team's defensive adjustments, watch how the rotation holds up against taller centers throughout the upcoming stretch of games. The shift marks a new approach to managing the frontcourt against physical opponents.
The takeaway
The Warriors are prioritizing interior size and defensive presence early in the season to prevent high-percentage shooting performances like the one seen on Wednesday. Keep an eye on how the center rotation evolves as the team faces different big-man matchups in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more updates on the season, check our Basketball coverage.
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Do you believe rotating younger players into the starting lineup improves your local team's defensive results?
