5 must-see Grizzlies home games this season
The NBA released the 2018-19 schedule for the Memphis Grizzlies, and there are plenty of intriguing matchups to consider. Here are five home games at FedExForum that fans should circle on their calendars.
Oct. 19 vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Grizzlies open the regular season on the road against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 17, but play their first game at FedExForum two nights later.
It will be Memphis fans’ first opportunity to judge if guard Mike Conley is capable of regaining his pre-injury form, or whether rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. can replicate his impressive performance from NBA summer league play, and how much Chandler Parsons might be able to contribute this season. It’s also the home debut for new additions such as Kyle Anderson and Garrett Temple.
More than anything, though, this is a fresh start for a franchise that saw its streak of seven-straight NBA playoffs appearances end with a 22-60 record a year ago. Can these Grizzlies, once again led by Conley and Marc Gasol, return to the postseason with a new cast of characters? Or is a rebuild on the way sooner than the front office hoped?
This is when opinions will start to form and answers to those looming storylines emerge.
Nov. 25 vs. New York Knicks
This will be David Fizdale’s first game back in FedExForum since he was unceremoniously fired by the Grizzlies 19 games into last season. Fizdale, who was hired by the Knicks this offseason, led Memphis to the 2017 NBA playoffs as a first-year head coach and quickly embraced social causes within the community, most notably the efforts to take
down Confederate statues around the city.
While he certainly doesn’t warrant the emotional tributes Zach Randolph and Tony Allen got a year ago when they came back to Memphis, I’d expect a warm response for Fizdale from the crowd and the Grizzlies. After all, new coach J.B. Bickerstaff was a part of Fizdale’s staff in Memphis.
But don’t be surprised if it’s a bit awkward between Fizdale and Gasol considering their relationship, or lack thereof, is viewed publicly as one of the main reasons Fizdale got let go so abruptly last year.
Perhaps more significantly, Memphis appears to be veering away from many of the adjustments made to the roster and style of play during Fizdale’s abbreviated tenure here. On this night, the Grizzlies can show him in person they’re headed in the right direction again.
Dec. 8 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Remember the 2016-17 season, when LeBron James didn’t even make the trip during Cleveland’s only road game of the year in Memphis? Well, one good thing about James’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Western Conference is that his new team will be at FedExForum twice this season.
This will be his first appearance of the season in Memphis, part of a threegames-in-four nights stretch that includes a road game at New Orleans the day before. The Lakers are scheduled to return to FedExForum on Feb. 25.
Jan. 21 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Memphis will once again get a nationally televised showcase as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day when the Grizzlies face New Orleans on TNT. It’s the Grizzlies’ only appearance on TNT this season and the first chance to catch Pelicans star Anthony Davis in person. Memphis is not currently scheduled to appear on ESPN this year, although that could change as the season progresses.
Memphis beat the Lakers, 123-114, last year during MLK50 festivities, and the annual game usually brings NBA dignitaries to town to commemorate King’s legacy.
March 27 vs. Golden State Warriors
Memphis fans will have waited more than 17 months between visits from the Golden State Warriors when the twotime defending NBA champions return to FedExForum for the first time since the second game of last season. Their last trip to Beale Street was a memorable one.
Stephen Curry was ejected late in the fourth quarter after throwing his mouth guard at a referee and Kevin Durant was thrown out seconds later. Durant then flashed his ring finger, where his NBA championship ring goes, as the Memphis crowd heckled him.
The Grizzlies ended up winning that game, 111-101, part of a 5-1 start to the season.
That, of course, came before Conley missed 70 games due to injury and the team began tanking in hopes of securing a better draft pick.
Memphis also closes this regular season at home against Golden State on April 10, although that means there’s a greater chance the Warriors could be resting their stars.