The Memphis Grizzlies’ 122-118 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic didn’t count in the standings, but it still handed Memphis a useful look at a few key pieces. The night brought another strong outing from GG Jackson, a solid showing from rookie Cameron Boozer, and the long-awaited sight of Zach Edey on the floor.
Jackson backed up his first strong preseason performance with another one here, and that matters for more than just a box score. He’s in the final year of his current contract, and this is a big season for him to prove he can fit into a winning setup rather than just pile up points in games that don’t mean much. Against Orlando, he finished with 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting and added 6 rebounds.
That scoring touch showed up again, but Jackson also gave Memphis something beyond shot-making. He was active on the glass and continued to flash the kind of two-way impact the Grizzlies will want to see if he’s going to carve out a real role in a crowded wing picture.
Boozer kept his own momentum rolling as well. In 22 minutes, he posted 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line. He also knocked down 2 of 3 from deep.
He came out more aggressive as a scorer early, then settled into a more varied role as the game wore on. That kind of versatility - being able to function both on and off the ball - is going to matter for Memphis’ offense.
The Grizzlies’ roughest stretch came early, when Orlando pushed the lead to 36-18 in the first quarter. Free throws were a major part of that problem.
Memphis was just 6-for-12 from the stripe at that point, and the team finished the game just on free throws. Scotty Pippen Jr. went 1-for-4.
Edey’s minutes were limited to 10, but his presence still mattered. Memphis had issues protecting the rim once he was pulled away from the basket, especially when Wendell Carter Jr. hit his first corner three and forced Edey to honor the outside shot. After that, Orlando found more success attacking the rim, and the Grizzlies’ interior defense slipped without Edey or Isaiah Stewart in the paint.
Edey did get on the board with a putback for his first bucket of the preseason, and simply seeing him play was a positive for Memphis. Zach Kleiman hadn’t committed one way or the other on media day about whether Edey would appear in preseason games, but Tuomas Iisalo said before the game that Edey’s progress so far was the "best-case scenario" the team had planned.
"There was nothing that prevented us from going there."
In Other News...
Zach Edey Reaches A Big Grizzlies Checkpoint After Long Absence
Zach Edey is set to take another step back into the Grizzlies rotation, with the center available for Memphis upcoming preseason matchup against the Orlando Magic. Its been a long road for Edey since his arrival as the No. 9 pick in 2024, and his return to game action gives Memphis a chance to see where he stands after a lengthy layoff and two left ankle procedures.
The preseason setting also gives the Grizzlies a controlled look at a roster still sorting itself out, especially with Orlando dealing with several absences of its own. Ty Jerome said preseason is about team performance and building habits, which makes Edeys status worth watching even in a game that wont count in the standings. For Memphis, the bigger question is how the center looks once the ball goes up and the pace picks up again. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Preseason Loss Exposed A New Problem Memphis Needs To Watch
The Grizzlies first preseason test against Orlando ended in a 122-118 loss, but the bigger takeaway for Memphis was less about the final score and more about how the Magic chose to structure their offense. With Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs sidelined, Orlando leaned on Franz Wagner to guide the attack and spread the ball around, giving the Grizzlies an early look at a group that was willing to experiment with different creators and keep the pace moving even without its usual guard options.
For Memphis, the game also served as a reminder that preseason can still reveal rotation questions in a hurry. The Magic had several players log extended minutes because of those absences, and the performances from Richardson, Alex Morales and Jamal Cain were mixed enough to leave a clear opening for the Grizzlies to study. Some of those lineups looked sharper than others, and the broader issue for Memphis is whether the defensive answers are ready when opponents start leaning into those kinds of makeshift offensive looks. [Read more 🡒]