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Warriors overcoming Nelson-Harrington feud

Nov 7, 2008 - 11:23 AM Memphis (2-3) at Golden State (2-3) 10:30 p.m. EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors' slow start may be the direct result of a rift within the team.

The Warriors look to get back to .500 on the young season and earn their second straight win Friday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Brandan Wright set career-highs with 18 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, leading Golden State to a 111-101 victory against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

The second-year forward has seen his playing time increased due to an ongoing feud between coach Don Nelson and Al Harrington, who requested a trade one day before the season began.

Nelson was not happy about Harrington speaking to the media about his lack of playing time.

"I made a deal with him that I was going to play him as many minutes as he would want and I would have kept that word," Nelson said. "But when he surprised me with going public with wanting to be traded, it (has) made it pretty difficult for me and everybody else.

"And he hasn't been playing well to go along with it so we might as well make the change now. People in the league know he's a good player and know if there's a trade to be made, we'll make it."

Harrington, who had three points and four fouls in 16 minutes on Wednesday, said the focus has been about the team and not himself.

"That's his excuse for not playing me," Harrington said. "As far as what coach said, I don't care. If he wants to trade me, he can trade me. I'm not a contract that can't be moved. Who am I disgruntled to? If you talk to my teammates, I don't talk about being traded. I'm about the team."

The Warriors try to forget about the saga against the Grizzlies, who are coming off a 100-95 loss to the previously winless Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.