The Grizzlies went just 25-57 last season and finished the 2025-26 season on a full tank, signing several G League players to 10-day contracts under tough conditions over the last couple of months. Then they traded the former franchise player Ja Morant to Portland in July, completely turning the page on the old core.
The way last season ended, coupled with the Morant trade, Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Banewhich understandably led to some disappointment on the part of fans, writes DeMichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscriber link). But at the start of the 2026-27 season, those fans had something to cheer about, with the Grizzlies beating the Kings on Saturday to improve to 6-0, matching the best start in franchise history.
Absolute #3 choice Cameron Boozer led the way with a career-high 27 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes. Isaiah Stewart (24 points on nine field goal attempts in 20 minutes) and H. G. Jackson II (21 points on 10 field goal attempts in 21 minutes) made big plays off the bench, with Cam Spencer (10 points, 13 assists, five rebounds in 25 minutes) filled in nicely You, Jeromewho is battling a serious back injury.
Here’s more about Grizzly:
- Head coach Tuomas Iisala was pleased with Spencer’s decision after Saturday’s game (Link to video on Twitter). “He is one of the best shooters in the world and we encourage him to take as many shots as possible” – said Iisalo. “And that’s really what opens up other possibilities. … He played a little different lineup with different guys. … There is another type of balance with units. And I thought he brought a lot of spacing. He, like you said, 13 assists and zero turnovers, played with great poise and made sure everyone was involved.”
- When asked in his postgame interview about the team’s biggest short-term challenge amid a 6-0 start, Stewart said Memphis can’t settle (Link to video on Twitter via Brink Radio). “Well, we can’t get a job” said Stewart.We haven’t done anything yet. We have to keep our heads down and keep hitting the goal. … It’s great that we’ve put ourselves in a great position, but there’s still a lot of work to do.” Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace Stewart also talked about the Grizzlies’ impressive depth after the game (Link to video on Twitter).
- The fans started chanting “We want Lopez” with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and the game out of reach, and Iisala eventually got their wish by putting the rookie forward Karim Lopez in the last four minutes, Cole writes in a different story (subscription required). The 19th overall pick scored his first career points and followed with a game ball.
