The Grizzlies are 4-0 and hold the No. 3 seed after a 110-105 win at Utah, a year removed from a 25-57 finish. Memphis is 2-4 in its last six games on this date, but the history that counts is the Grit and Grind standard this young roster is chasing.
What has October 27 meant for Memphis before?
Mostly losses. Memphis has played six games on this date since 2010 and won two of them. It beat Phoenix 117-96 in 2018 and won 125-110 at Sacramento in 2022. It lost to Atlanta, Denver, Portland and Golden State. The last of those looks worse now. A year ago today Memphis fell 131-118 at Golden State and finished 25-57. This team won at Golden State 111-108 on October 23.
Does this roster have any Grit and Grind in it?
The last minute at Utah says yes. Up three, Memphis got stops on a Keyonte George pullup, a Darryn Peterson pullup and a Brice Sensabaugh three, and Cameron Boozer and Jaylen Wells grabbed the rebounds. The Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Tony Allen era was built on defense and paint scoring. Last year's defense ranked 27th. Edey and Boozer closing together is the closest this roster gets to that inside identity.
Is Cameron Boozer the next Pau Gasol?
Too early to say, but the path is similar. Gasol went third in 2001, won Rookie of the Year and became the first Memphis cornerstone. Boozer went third in 2026 and is 19. At Utah he had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, but he shot 4-12 and was -9. Karim Lopez, the other 19-year-old rookie and the 21st pick, was cleared from his knee issue today.
Why does Portland matter more than most road stops?
Memphis plays at Portland on Thursday, and the trade that reshaped this franchise runs through that city. Memphis sent Ja Morant there for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. At Utah, Grant came off the bench for 13 points on 4-6 shooting, made 3 of 4 from deep and finished +12, the best mark on the team. The last time Memphis played in Portland on this date, in 2021, it lost 116-96.
How far can a 4-0 start carry this team?
The franchise's best seasons set the bar. Hubie Brown's 2003-04 team won 50 and made the first playoff trip. The 2010-11 club beat the top-seeded Spurs as an eighth seed. The 2012-13 group went 56-26 and reached the conference finals, the deepest run in team history. Memphis has never made the Finals. This team has 78 games left, and four of the next five are at home.
When do the Grizzlies play next?
Memphis plays at Portland on October 29, then hosts Sacramento on October 31.
What is the best record in Grizzlies history?
The franchise-best record is 56-26, set in 2012-13, when Memphis reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time.
