MEMPHIS – The Grizzlies full schedule just dropped, so now’s the time to mark your calendars for the most important games of the season.
With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. back to anchor a revamped roster in coach Tuomas Iisalo’s first full season at the helm, the Grizzlies face significant challenges ahead in a Western Conference that grows deeper and more daunting by the year.
Last season’s historic conference campaign produced the dominant and defending NBA champions in Oklahoma City. The seven teams that finished behind OKC in the standings were separated by just four games in the West.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 48-34 season that ended in a first-round playoff sweep by the Thunder. There have been both key changes and significant growth this offseason as Memphis looks to take the next step in development.
Hence, every game is vital.
But here’s my annual look at 5 Can’t Miss Grizzlies Games as we set our schedule priorities.
Oct. 22: Pelicans at Grizzlies
Plenty of adjectives were tossed around the past few months to describe the Grizzlies’ strategic approach with the roster this offseason. The term “rebuild” was not among them. Perhaps “reset” and “retool” were more appropriate. After a summer that included trading a core piece in Desmond Bane, trading into the lottery to draft Cedric Coward among three rookie newcomers, securing Jaren Jackson Jr. to a contract extension and tweaking the supporting cast around Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are set for Tuomas Iisalo’s first season opener as an NBA coach.
Oct. 31: Lakers at Grizzlies
A trick-or-treat special at FedExForum on Halloween night. What more could you ask for? A svelte Luka Doncic and still-dominant LeBron James arrive as not only an early-season litmus test for playoff potential, but also the opener of the Emirates Cup showcase. The Grizzlies haven’t fared well in Cup games, going 1-7 the past two seasons. The field is stacked once again, with the Clippers, Mavs and Pelicans joining the Lakers and Grizzlies in West Group B. The Grizzlies need a breakthrough against the Lakers after losing 8 of the last 11 season matchups.
Nov. 9: Thunder at Grizzlies
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder make their first visit to Memphis since finishing off the Grizzlies’ season in a first-round playoff sweep last spring. No team has had a more sustained run of success against Memphis than OKC, which has won 13 straight games between the teams. If Morant and Jackson are going to lead the Grizzlies to an NBA title at some point, they’ll certainly have to get past the young and dominant Thunder. The Grizz are due for a big confidence boost.
Jan. 18: Magic at Grizzlies
Technically, the Grizzlies are the “home” team when they host the Magic at London’s phenomenal O2 Arena as part of the two-game European Games showdown. This game comes in place of the annual MLK Day the Grizzlies host in Memphis. However, they have a chance to honor King’s legacy by walking in his historic footsteps. The game in London comes exactly 62 years after the winter King stopped in London and spoke at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the way to accepting the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. Grizz fans wanting to visit Europe have a great opportunity to check off a bucket-list vacation as well as support the team overseas.
March 27: Rockets at Grizzlies
I know what you’re thinking: where’s Steph and the Warriors on this list? Well, of course the Warriors making their lone visit to FedExForum on Feb. 25 will be one of the biggest draws of the season. So, consider this a two-for-one can’t miss opportunity. Because the late March game against the new-look Rockets with Kevin Durant could have both division title and playoff implications at stake coming down the stretch. Even before Durant arrived this summer, the Rockets moved past the Grizzlies in the West pecking order. The Grizzlies must level back up.