The Memphis Grizzlies have a path to a fast start, and it runs straight through a first 10 games that looks as friendly as any in the NBA. Sacramento and Utah show up twice each in that opening stretch, giving Memphis four chances to cash in on matchups it should like. If the Grizzlies handle those games and pick off a win or two elsewhere, they could build real momentum early in the 2026-27 season.
That doesn’t mean the first two weeks are all smooth sailing. Road trips to face the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors, plus a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, will ask plenty of Memphis right away. The schedule has some teeth, but it also gives the Grizzlies a clear lane to stack wins.
The numbers back that up. Memphis’ first 10 opponents from last season had a combined opponent win percentage of 39.3%, the lowest mark among all 30 teams.
Prediction-wise, a 6-4 start looks live. That kind of record would come down to taking care of business against Sacramento and Utah, then finding a way to steal one or two from the tougher names on the board.
The early outlook also depends heavily on health and how quickly the roster settles in. Memphis is expected to have a strong defensive core, and that should put the team ahead of a lot of offenses out of the gate.
With Zach Edey healthy, the young stars in place, and improved depth around them, the biggest question shifts to how fast Cameron Boozer can make an impact. A lighter early schedule would give him a real chance to do that.
One outlook on the Grizzlies put it bluntly: “The Memphis Grizzlies should be expected to face an uphill battle this season, though their early schedule features a few favorable matchups that could help them gain momentum. The Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans will all be looking to climb back into the playoff picture after falling short of a top-six seed.
This gives rookie Cameron Boozer some breathing room to build chemistry with his teammates, while Ty Jerome and Zach Edey can get back into the swing of things as well. A 5-5 record through the first ten games is a reasonable expectation for Memphis.”
Another assessment was even more optimistic about what the opening stretch could look like if Edey stays on the floor. "Can anyone promise that Zach Edey will stay healthy for all 10 games?
Because if anyone can, the projection gets better. The Grizzlies' schedule actually lends itself to a strong start -- they don't play any expected elite teams early.
The three most talented opponents in the first 10 come in the final three of those contests: the Pacers, Thunder and Raptors. Before that, there are two against the Kings and one against the Pelicans, expected to be two of the weaker teams in the West.
The Trail Blazers and Jazz could be better, but Memphis may match up fairly well, giving them a shot at one or two of those three games. And the Warriors are undermanned, without Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis.
It's reasonable to expect Memphis, if healthy, to start at worst 4-3 before that tougher stretch. A 5-5 start wouldn't be half bad, but 6-4 is definitely doable. Which would start to get some attention on Beale Street."
In Other News...
Grizzlies Rookie Picture Gets More Complicated As One Fit Stands Out
As the Grizzlies get ready for their season opener, one of the quieter offseason additions has started to draw real attention: Cam Boozer. The Duke forward brings the kind of versatile skill set Memphis has been looking to layer onto its young core, and his fit alongside a front line led by Zach Edey gives the roster a different shape than it had a year ago. For a team trying to build something more durable around its rising pieces, that kind of positional flexibility matters.
The other rookie storyline is less straightforward. Richie, a drafted player still working back from an ACL injury, has not reached a contract agreement with Memphis yet, leaving his status unresolved as camp nears its final stretch. The gap between the sides has become its own small test for a franchise trying to manage development, financial caution and roster planning all at once. Even with the opener approaching, the rookie picture in Memphis still has one important piece hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Just Sent A Harsh Message About Walter Clayton
Walter Clayton has found a new landing spot, and it comes after a brief, uneasy stop in Memphis. The Mavericks officially signed the guard to a two-way contract, giving him a path forward after the Grizzlies waived him and other teams had reportedly been in the mix once Dallas opened a roster spot.
For Memphis, the move adds another layer to a busy stretch around Clayton, who was taken 18th overall in the 2025 NBA draft and spent time with both the Utah Jazz and Grizzlies last season. His arrival in Memphis was tied to the larger trade landscape around Jaren Jackson Jr., and now the next question is whether the Grizzlies simply moved on too quickly or if this was always headed toward a fresh start elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Guard Fans Know
Walter Clayton Jr. is back on the market after Memphis waived him ahead of the roster deadline, and that has already put a few teams on alert. The former Grizzlies guard is drawing interest around the league, with Dallas and Sacramento among the clubs keeping tabs as they look for backcourt depth and a low-risk addition.
The Mavericks are in a particularly practical position because they still have room to maneuver on a two-way deal, and Claytons next stop may come down to fit as much as opportunity. If he clears waivers, his choice could be shaped by where he sees the clearest path to minutes and development, which makes this one worth watching as the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]