Memphis Grizzlies

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MEMPHIS – Considering the way the bench has been rolling so far this season, Cam Spencer could have taken it as a demotion of sorts.

On a night when Spencer, the Grizzlies’ usual backup point guard, was summoned to the starting lineup as an injury replacement, the reserves he left behind erupted for a season-high 81 bench points in that Halloween victory over the Kings.

That breakout performance catapulted Memphis atop the NBA as the league’s most productive bench through the first two weeks of the season.

Spencer flashed a wide grin when asked after Sunday’s practice how he was coping with the demotion and fear of missing out on all the bench fun.

“Hey I’m a team guy, man,” Spencer said. “The bench came in and did their job. They’re calling it the bench mob. It’s a fun group to be a part of. But you’re going to be in and out. Sometimes starting. Sometimes off the bench. As long as the Grizzlies win, I’m the happiest dude on earth.”

The Grizzlies (6-0) look to keep the good times going as their four-game homestand continues Monday against the Pelicans (2-4) in a matchup of teams with the NBA’s top two reserve units. A victory Monday at FedExForum would give Memphis its best start in franchise history at 7-0.

To accomplish that feat, the Grizzlies will likely need another boost from a bench averaging 49 points, shooting 42-percent on 3-pointers and leading the NBA in blocks. The Pelicans rank second in bench scoring at 46.8 points per game.

Although Spencer took his temporary reassignment well, he’ll again embrace the move back to a bench that also features Isaiah Stewart, GG Jackson and Jerami Grant. Spencer started at point guard in Saturday’s 136-105 win and matched his career high of 13 assists without a turnover.

The Grizzlies are expecting point guard Ty Jerome back in the lineup Monday after last week’s Western Conference Player of the Week sat out Saturday with back tightness. He participated in Sunday’s limited team practice and was not listed on the injury report ahead of Monday’s game.

The rotation depth will again be tested with guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (back soreness) listed as doubtful, likely to miss a second consecutive game. Reserve forward-center Quinten Post (ankle) also missed Saturday’s game, but practiced Sunday and is considered questionable for Monday.

Assembling a balanced roster with quality depth was a top priority for coach Tuomas Iisalo and team president and general manager Zach Kleiman during the offseason.

Stewart was acquired from Detroit in June and Post was signed away from Golden State in July restricted free agency to bolster the frontcourt. Spencer, Jackson and Pippen Jr. were all initially groomed through the Grizzlies’ two-way development program two years ago and eventually signed to standard NBA contracts before entering this season as primary rotation contributors.

All have enjoyed breakout moments in the opening weeks of the season.

Against the Kings on Saturday, Jackson knocked down all five of his 3-point attempts and scored a season-high 21 points off the bench. Stewart added a season-high 24 points, having reached double figures off the bench in four of his six outings while shooting 54.5-percent on 3-pointers. And the veteran experience of Grant has fortified the Grizzlies on both ends of the court.

After wrapping up last week’s four-game trip with a 21-point win at Portland, Iisalo said the multitude of versatile bench contributors is not a luxury but rather a necessity for the Grizzlies.

He reiterated that Sunday as they prepare to face 15 games over the next 27 days in November.

“What our guys have done a tremendous job with is no matter who plays or when they play, they bring that focus, that effort, that commitment to each other,” Iisalo explained. “That’s really what makes any good team go. That allows us to make runs throughout the game at different times, which is really a necessity. The more guys we can have stay in rhythm makes it easier for them to step into the rotation as there are injuries or other guys unable to play.”

The variety of contributions has made the Grizzlies one of the biggest surprise teams in the league. Internally, there’s very little about this start that’s shocking to those who have been putting in the work since offseason conditioning.

Inside the team, there is no definitive distinction between starters and backups. There are instead rotations in waves. It created a ferocious level of competition during training camp between opposing units, with one group rarely dominating another group for long.

Iisalo on Sunday shared a story from training camp of how Stewart, a seventh-year veteran, insisted on playing with a unit of the youngest players on the training camp roster. Swingman Kris Murray vouched for the level of intensity that permeated each scrimmage session. That remains the case as the reserves vow to push the starters as hard as any opposing NBA team.

“Juices get flowing and that’s what you want,” Murray revealed. “Our coaches do a very good job incurring that kind of atmosphere, and we feed off it.”

“Winning is fun – that’s why we do our job,” Spencer assured. “Coaches have done a great job keeping our urgency at a high level. We’re six games into an 82-game season, so we just have to keep it going. It’s gratifying knowing the work we’ve put in is paying off. But the (first six) wins are in the past. We’ve got to do it again (Monday) and then in the next game to keep it rolling.”

Be it the Grizzlies’ starters or reserves getting it done, it’s not about which unit matters most.

It’s the prolific unity between right now them that counts.

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MikeCheck: Boosted by NBA’s top bench, Grizzlies pursue best start in franchise history

Battle of NBA unbeatens caps Grizz 4-game trek

PORTLAND – There’s no getting around the obvious.

But for these Grizzlies, the priorities are in order entering Thursday’s game against the Blazers in one of the most compelling matchups of this young NBA season.

Sure, the brotherhood and bonds that tie the Grizzlies to Ja Morant still exist and remain strong.

“He helped me jumpstart my career, gave me a lot of wisdom and everything,” admitted third-year Grizzlies swingman Jaylen Wells, who played more games with Morant than anyone on the current roster. “I’m honestly looking forward to it.”

Then there’s Scotty Pippen Jr., who remains in almost daily contact with Morant.

As Morant’s seven-year career in Memphis was winding toward the July trade to Portland, no teammate was closer to the biggest star in franchise history than Pippen Jr. at the time.

“Ja’s my brother,” Pippen Jr. vowed. “We hang out over the summers. He watches our games. I watch his games. He’s always sending me texts during (our) games, and I’m texting him as well (during his). It’s bigger than basketball with me and him.”

Even with all of that said, bonds will be set aside for a couple of hours Thursday as two of the NBA’s three remaining unbeaten teams face off at Moda Center.

The Grizzlies (4-0) are committed to setting emotions aside and focusing on the business at hand as they look to sweep their first road trip of four or more games since 2013.

These Grizzlies are already showing levels of improvement and poise that have made them arguably the biggest surprise team through the first two weeks of the NBA season. Memphis is off to the second-best start in franchise history, which includes three close wins on this trip that wraps up Thursday against the similarly stunning Blazers.

Both teams have found early success, with the Blazers notching only their second 3-0 start in the last 15 seasons. The Grizzlies and Blazers executed one of the more compelling trades of the offseason when Memphis dealt the two-time NBA All-Star in Morant to Portland. The Grizzlies pivoted to a rebuild after limited playoff success over three straight injury-plagued seasons.

Memphis had already traded fellow All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. in February to Utah and parted with productive guard Desmond Bane the previous summer in a 2025 deal with Orlando.

In return, the Grizzlies received a total of seven first-round draft picks for Jackson Jr. and Bane. They acquired productive veteran forward Jerami Grant and forward Kris Murray, a 2023 first-round pick, from the Blazers in the deal for Morant.

What was projected to be a retooling season for a Grizzlies squad with the NBA’s fourth-youngest roster has instead teased of an ahead-of-schedule resurgence. Through the first four games, a balanced Memphis team ranks in the top eight in the NBA in rebounding, 3-point shooting, blocks, second-chance scoring and overall defensive rating.

There’s a poise and resilience that already allowed the Grizzlies to exorcise past demons at Golden State to rally from a 12-point deficit in the final three minutes to start the trip. And in their most recent game Monday, players and coaches set aside emotional attachments to Jackson Jr. yet again to defeat the Jazz for a second time in six nights.

Sure, there’s a different gravity with Morant, whose signature Nike shoes and star power remain influential in Memphis. But the Grizzlies are holding themselves to a different standard for preparation and execution entering games, regardless of circumstances.

“Let’s say I’m more focused on how we’re playing against the Blazers, and (Morant’s) a big part of what they do,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said of taking a bigger-picture view after Wednesday’s practice. “They’ve opened the season in terrific fashion. They’re playing with a ton of confidence, and they’ve got a ton of offensive talent. We’re expecting a really good matchup for us with the way they’re playing. It’s a great test for where we are at this point in the season.”

Iisalo already defines the first extended road trip of the season a success based on how the Grizzlies executed to close out the past three games. A demanding schedule saw them play the Warriors, Kings and Jazz over a stretch of four nights using three different starting lineups.

Iisalo has relied early on depth, with Memphis producing between four and six double-figure scorers in each game so far. That group includes the two players who have admirably stepped into the starting roles Jackson Jr. and Morant held for the past seven years.

Point guard Ty Jerome is averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds as the Western Conference Player of the Week. Power forward Cam Boozer opened his rookie season becoming just the eighth player in 44 years with at least 10 rebounds in each of his first three NBA games.

Producing at that level on the road is beneficial to the Grizzlies’ early growth.

“It’s huge, especially winning,” Pippen Jr. explained. “A road trip like this, with the back-to-back (Sunday in Sacramento and Monday at Utah) and a lot of games in a short amount of time, it builds our confidence. A lot of teams and people were sleeping on us coming into this (season). So just to have this stretch and then go back home is going to be huge for us.”

After Thursday, the Grizzlies will have played more road games than any team in the league so far. They return to Memphis to start a four-game homestand Saturday at FedExForum.

As they end the trip with consecutive games facing Jackson Jr. and Morant, the Grizzlies have shown respect and gratitude for two of the most decorated players in franchise history. But this team is also eager to reveal the positive direction in which the organization is now headed.

The experiences they’ve gained can set a tone for the season.

“It’s been great for us on and off the court, just being able to hang with guys on a road trip like this, going through some adversity,” Wells asserted. “When we step in the lines, it’s time to compete. There’s no friendly person on the other team. It’s just I’m here to compete and I’m here for my team.”

Previous ties aside, this trip isn’t about those no longer in Memphis.

It’s about these upstart Grizzlies continuing to build new bonds together.

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies embrace bonds, but ‘more focused’ on building on successful road trip

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies will honor and celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Friday, Nov. 6, as the team hosts HBCU Night, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, at FedExForum, tipping-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. Each year, the Grizzlies highlight and bring awareness to the rich diversity of HBCUs as they continue to redesign the educational landscape, ensuring African Americans receive a solid and sound education.&nbsp;

Celebrations will begin with the Grizzlies HBCU Yard Fest on the Big River Steel Plaza starting at 4 p.m. The Yard Fest will provide a fun and engaging space for fans to celebrate HBCU culture and learn more about HBCUs before the game. LeMoyne-Owen College, Tennessee State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Lane College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will be tabling with representatives from each school on-site giving students and younger attendees the opportunity to connect directly with them to learn more about each institution and explore educational opportunities.&nbsp;

The Yard Fest will also feature music from Hampton University graduate DJ Alpha Whiskey, a performance by the LeMoyne-Owen College cheer and percussion squad, a photo booth and cash bar. The Grizzlies are offering fans an exclusive ticket package for HBCU Night. Fans who purchase tickets here by Wednesday, Nov. 4, will receive an HBCU Night T-shirt and a $10 food voucher, while supplies last. Fans who purchase the ticket package will pick up their T-shirt and food voucher at a check-in table at the Yard Fest.  

HBCU alumni will be featured throughout the night, including Grizzlies employees who graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The evening will also provide fans with HBCU trivia and features from Grind City Media’s “HBCU Huddle,” catching fans up on the latest from the SWAC, MEAC, SIAC, CIAA and other historically black colleges around the country.

Entertainment throughout the night includes the national anthem by the Mississippi Delta Community College Choir, a halftime performance by Yung Joc and pregame performances by Corey Lou & Da Village.&nbsp;

Applications for the ninth annual HBCU Empowerment Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, will open on Friday, Nov. 6, and close on Friday, Dec. 11 at grizzlies.com/hbcu. Nine HBCU graduates will be chosen as honorees for their community empowerment and outstanding contributions to the fields of education, health and fitness, youth development or service throughout the City of Memphis or Shelby County. One honoree will be highlighted at each Grizzlies home game in February 2027, receiving a donation to their alma mater in their name.&nbsp;

The Grizzlies and Pinnacle Financial Partners partnered with the HBCU Awareness Foundation during October and November to support the foundation’s 2026-27 college fairs. With a vision and passion for building awareness and exposing high school students to HBCUs, the foundation hosts more than 40 schools at their fall and spring fairs each year, providing students with opportunities to gain financial resources, attend informational sessions or even be admitted to colleges on the spot. The fairs were hosted in Memphis, Mississippi, Arkansas and surrounding areas in the fall and will return in the spring of 2027.

For more information on HBCU Night, visit grizzlies.com/community, ‘like’ Grizz Community on Facebook or follow @grizzcommunity on Twitter/X and Instagram. Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2026-27 season tickets, single game tickets or partial plans can do so now by going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. For more information on the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow @memgrizz on Twitter/X and Instagram.

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Memphis Grizzlies Celebrate Hbcu Night on Friday, November 6

Franchise center expected back Monday vs Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY&nbsp;– Among the most encouraging developments during the Grizzlies’ unbeaten start to the season has been Zach Edey’s rapid progress in his healthy return to action.

“It’s a testament to him and all the people that have been working with him to have him in this spot right now,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo assured of Edey. “We just have to be smart to make sure we reap the benefits when he’s on the court. And when our key rebounder and defensive anchor is not there, it’s a great opportunity for other guys to also step up.”

So far, Memphis is benefitting from both its dominant big man and its depth.&nbsp;

Edey is expected back in the starting lineup when the Grizzlies continue their four-game trip Monday against the Jazz. The 7-foot-4 center sat out Sunday’s 123-112 victory over the Kings for recovery management as Memphis improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

The Grizzlies will remain strategic with Edey’s availability throughout his return from the offseason ankle and elbow surgeries he underwent ahead of his third NBA season. Monday’s game at Utah completes the first of 14 back-to-back sets Memphis will play this season.

In those cases, when a team has games on consecutive nights, players who recently rehabbed from injuries typically are sidelined for one of the contests as part of recovery management.

Although Edey sat out Sunday, he went through an extensive conditioning workout on the court at Sacramento’s arena before the game. Earlier in the day, Edey said his body has been feeling great and he’s confident with how his ankle has responded so far this season.

Monday marks a full month since the Grizzlies opened training camp, where Edey participated throughout that initial week of team practices and conditioning sessions. Iisalo deemed Edey “ahead of schedule” during the preseason when Edey played in three of four exhibition games.

“I’m feeling good and just trying to build to get my conditioning and everything to where I want it,” Edey said of his progress over the past month. “We’re attacking everything the right way.”

Edey started the first two games of the regular season, contributing nine rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes during a 123-103 season-opening home win against the Jazz last Wednesday. He followed with a dominant closing stretch to help the Grizzlies rally from a 12-point deficit in the final three minutes for a 111-108 win Friday at Golden State.

In that game, Edey grabbed 10 rebounds and had two blocks – including a game-sealing rejection of a Steph Curry 3-point attempt – in 22 minutes. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors by 25 points when Edey was on the court.

The team found success with him sidelined Sunday as veteran backup Isaiah Stewart opened at center against the Kings on a night when all five Grizzlies starters scored in double figures. Memphis prioritized frontcourt depth this summer to support its franchise anchor in the post.

The Grizzlies drafted power forward Cam Boozer third overall in June, acquired Stewart from the Pistons in a trade and signed 7-footer Quinten Post away from Golden State in July free agency.

Edey believes facing Post and Stewart in practices and working in rotation alongside them in games have been ideal in preparing him to return to form. After making the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team two years ago, Edey was limited by ankle issues to only 11 games last season.

Even in those 11 games, the Grizzlies went 7-4 and were rated top 10 in the NBA in offensive and defensive efficiency over that stretch. Expanding that sample size by sustaining that level of production is among the goals this season.

“We’ve got three types of bigs here, so we get the whole package every day,” Edey insisted. “I get to work on defending a stretch big (Post) and also work to guard a bulky, tougher guy who likes to move his feet (Stewart). It’s good to get to practice like that and it helps us all in games.”

That heft and depth have provided a significant boost so far, as the Grizzlies outrebounded their first three opponents by an average of 11 boards per game. Memphis had 18 offensive rebounds each of its past two games and scored a season-high 30 second-chance points Sunday.

Boozer and swingman Cedric Coward both posted double-doubles against the Kings, combining for 31 points and 22 rebounds to offset any potential void in the paint from Edey’s absence. With Coward returning on Sunday from a sore wrist that kept him out Friday at Golden State, the Grizzlies have used three different starting lineups through the first three games.

“We’re trying to go out and execute everything (coaches) want us to do,” Stewart pointed out. “And that’s go out with undefeated effort, outwork the man in front of you and do your job until the next man comes in. We can outwork opponents just by being prepared when your name is called. Training camp and these practices leading to this have allowed us to be prepared.”

Now comes the first schedule grind of the season: The Grizzlies face their third game in four nights. Both Memphis and Utah played Sunday, with the Jazz losing at home to the Lakers.

When these teams met on opening night last week, the Grizzlies sprinted past the Jazz by outscoring them 69-48 over the second and third quarters to cruise to a 20-point win. A collective effort saw the Grizzlies’ frontcourt control the boards, their bench produce 46 points and lead guard Ty Jerome drop a career-high 45 points on the Jazz.

Duplicating that success will be a difficult challenge on the road. But the Grizzlies will have at least one big addition back on the court as they continue to manage Edey’s health. The plan is to gradually build on his output with intentions to sustain production for the season’s long haul.

“Our medical and performance team does a great job of giving us the guidelines,” Iisalo acknowledged. “Zach is always wanting to play more and more. He’s incredibly tough and he’s been incredibly committed to this process.”

Edey is encouraged by the initial returns.

“It’s been huge for us to be able to grind out games like that and get these wins,” Edey said. “It’s our identity when it gets grimy, we get stops. That’s how we want to play. We’re never going to back down from anything. When someone comes at us, we’re definitely going to hit back.”

Especially on nights when Edey patrols the paint.&nbsp;

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MikeCheck: Off to 3-0 start, Grizzlies ‘being smart’ with Edey’s process amid early progress

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Memphis Grizzlies (3-0) defeated the Sacramento Kings (0-3) 123-112 on Sunday night at Golden 1 Center. Memphis recorded their first 3-0 start to a season since the 2017-18 campaign.

After the Sacramento tied the game 106-106 with 5:41 remaining, Memphis went on a 17-6 run in the final minutes to seal the win. The Grizzlies held the Kings to 11.1 percent shooting from 3-point range in the fourth quarter and outrebounded the Kings 18-11 in the period.

Ty Jerome led the Grizzlies in scoring with 31 points on 8-for-17 shooting and is averaging 34.7 points per game through his first three games this season. Jerome made all 14 of his free throw attempts.

Cameron Boozer recorded a double-double for the second straight game with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes. Cedric Coward recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds on 6-for-11 shooting from the field in 32 minutes.&nbsp;

Jaylen Wells added 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting with five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes. Isaiah Stewart finished with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks in 22 minutes in his first start of the season. Cam Spencer added 13 points on 3-for-6 shooting from 3-point range in 16 minutes off the bench.

Zach LaVine scored a game-high 37 points on 13-for-25 shooting. Domantis Sabonis recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season with two steals and three blocks.&nbsp;

Memphis outscored Sacramento 42-31 in the second quarter and shot 7-of-14 from 3point range to take a 67-59 halftime lead.&nbsp;

The Grizzlies held the Kings to 30.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and outpaced Sacramento in second chance points (30-21). The Grizzlies travel to Utah to face the Jazz for the third game of their four-game road trip on Monday, Oct. 26, with tip-off at 8 p.m. CT. Broadcast coverage will be carried on DAZN and 92.9 FM ESPN Radio.

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Grizzlies Defeat Kings 123–112, Begin Season 3–0

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The Memphis Grizzlies (2-0) defeated the Golden State Warriors (0-2) 111-108 on Friday night at Chase Center. The Grizzlies recorded their first 2-0 start to a season since the 2022-23 campaign.

After Golden State took its largest lead of the game, 106-94, with under four minutes remaining, Memphis scored 17 straight points, including the go-ahead turnaround basket by Cameron Boozer, to seal the win. The Grizzlies held the Warriors without a field goal for the final 3:47, forcing seven straight missed shots over that span.

Ty Jerome followed up his career-high 45-point performance in the season opener with a game-high 28 points on 11-for-22 shooting from the field in 31 minutes.&nbsp;

Boozer recorded his first career double-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 37 minutes. He became just the third player in NBA history to post at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in his first career road game, joining Oscar Robertson (1960) and Lonzo Ball (2017).

Jaylen Wells finished with 17 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep, including a 4-point play that started decisive fourth-quarter run. Cam Spencer tallied 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from 3-point range in 17 minutes off the bench. Zach Edey added eight points with 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in 22 minutes.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points with three rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes. Yaxel Lendeborg recorded his first career double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 37 minutes. Brandon Podziemski added 18 points.

The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 27-18 in the fourth quarter and held Golden State to 28.6 percent shooting both from the field and from 3-point range.

Memphis held Golden State to 34.1 percent shooting from 3-point range and outpaced the Warriors in fast break points (18-3).

The Grizzlies travel to Sacramento to face the Kings for the second game of their four-game road trip on Sunday, Oct. 25, with tip-off at 8 p.m. CT. Broadcast coverage will be carried on DAZN and 92.9 FM ESPN Radio.

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Grizzlies Rally To Defeat Warriors 111–108, Fueled by 17–0 Run

Takeaways from historic season-opening victory

MEMPHIS&nbsp;– Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo had two expectations for his team entering the regular season opener following a relatively healthy training camp and productive preseason.

“Always learn,” Iisalo insisted. “And improve collectively.”

As season-opening standards go, the Grizzlies established a sky-high bar with a historic performance in their debut. Here are my two takeaways from Wednesday’s 123-103 thumping of the Jazz and a lookahead to Friday’s matchup at Golden State to open a four-game trip.

The Grizzlies work out on practice courts that have a designated 4-point line, which is a full step beyond the NBA’s normal 3-point arc. Combo guard Ty Jerome routinely takes shots from there.

So, it should come as no surprise that his shooting range and comfort zone both stretch well beyond normal limits. Still, even Jerome had to playfully apologize for the “heat check” he launched from just across midcourt for his final attempt on an otherwise magical night.

“That one was a little far,” Jerome said through a guilty grin.

The 35-footer was one of the rare misses during a team-leading performance in which Jerome shot 17-for-25 from the field, 5-of-10 on threes and notched a career-high 45 points along with seven rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes.

It represented the most points scored by a Grizzlies player during a season opener in franchise history, surpassing the 44-point outburst from former point guard Ja Morant in 2020. The 20-point win was also the largest margin of victory for a season opener in franchise history.&nbsp;

Although the scoring binge stood out, Jerome suggested his aggressive approach was simply the result of adapting to what the game dictated based on how the Jazz defended. What the effort truly underscored is something far clearer and precise in the bigger picture.

Even as the Grizzlies remain a work in progress largely retooling around first, second and third-year players, the 29-year-old Jerome is a proven veteran capable of providing a big scoring punch.

“I say this all the time, man: the game kind of tells you what to do,” Jerome explained. “So those shots (that were available) are shots that I shoot every day, maybe besides that last one. But if teams are going to play us like that, I’m confident in those shots.”

Jerome embraces a fresh start and a leadership role after being limited by injuries last season when he arrived in free agency. This season, he has taken over the starting role at point guard and entered Wednesday’s opener coming off an impressive preseason in which he led Memphis in scoring and shot 47.4-percent on threes.

While Jerome’s scoring set the tone against Utah, the Grizzlies collectively controlled the game on both ends after trailing 31-29 after the first quarter. Memphis then outscored the Jazz 69-48 in the second and third quarters and dominated with a 55-38 rebounding edge for the game.

“That’s who we are as a group - we’re going to play fast, play in waves and everyone is going to contribute every night because that’s who we are,” Jerome assured. “Today was a real good example of what we want to be, and we’re going to continue to build on that.”

Iisalo, Jerome and rookie No. 3 pick Cam Boozer all emphasized how much of a boost the Grizzlies got from the home crowd at FedExForum.

The atmosphere started with a memorial tribute and moment of silence to honor the memory of former Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died in May. It continued with player introductions emceed by former Grizzlies legends Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.

The Grizzlies reciprocated that energy with their relentless play on the court.&nbsp;

“We want to make a good impression,” Iisalo said. “We’re not only vying for wins, but we’re also vying to win over our own fans and prove to them that this is a team worth cheering for because of how we play.”

One play in particular brought fans to their feet with thunderous cheers. It came at the 8:03 mark in the third quarter when Jaylen Wells dove into the courtside seats for a steal, then pushed the ball to a streaking Cam Boozer in transition. Boozer finished with an emphatic dunk over Jazz forward and former Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lane.

That play came during the decisive run that pushed the Grizzlies’ lead to 20 points.

“It was a lot of energy in the crowd,” Boozer acknowledged. “Getting stops and steals leading to points, it’s great for the team because we’re all playing together. Just good vibes. And when the arena erupts like that, it brings even more energy. It’s a lot of fun out there. It was electric. That opened the game up for us. When we’re playing like that, we can compete with anyone.”

Boozer contributed a game-high 11 rebounds and seven points in his NBA debut. He also set a league rookie record with a plus-32 impact, highest for any player in his first career NBA game.

On the heels of Jackson Jr.’s return to Memphis, the Grizzlies get another homecoming experience on Friday when center Quinten Post heads back to Golden State.

Post signed with Memphis as a restricted free agent in July after spending the previous two seasons with the Warriors, where he played 109 games and averaged 7.8 points. Memphis valued the 7-footer’s screen-setting and ability to extend his shooting to the 3-point line.

In Memphis, Post is part of a three-man center rotation that features starter Zach Edey and another offseason acquisition in veteran Isaiah Stewart. Post is grateful for the knowledge he gained from NBA champions and future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

Post also embraces the opportunity he now has with Memphis ahead of his return to the Bay.

“It’s a new role and new guys after being with guys like Steph and Dray,” said Post, who finished with seven points in 19 minutes off the bench against Utah. “Over here, Coach Iisalo has a whole new system. Learning to play with these guys here has been big, and I hope to keep building on that. Right now, what’s being asked of me is to be a little more aggressive (defensively) than in Golden State. That’s been an adjustment. But I think it’s going to work out.”

Post’s contributions will continue to be vital as the Grizzlies manage Edey’s initial playing time coming off ankle surgery and as Stewart works his way back from a preseason ankle injury.

mikecheck-grizzlies-set-example-of-what-we-want-to-be-while-seeking-to-build-on-debut-win

MikeCheck: Grizzlies set ‘example of what we want to be’ while seeking to build on debut win

Each year, the Memphis Grizzlies host Breast Cancer Awareness Night to educate the community about the signs of Breast Cancer. This year, 10 survivors from Baptist Women's Health Center were recognized at the October 7th preseason game versus the Orlando Magic. Survivors enjoyed the game from a suite with food and participated in multiple in-game activations, including an on-court recognition and t-shirt toss. In addition to the gameday festivities, all survivors enjoyed a Spa Day the day prior, spending time together and getting to know each other.