The Memphis Grizzlies are heating up - and they’re doing it the hard way.
Midway through a four-game road trip, Memphis has clawed its way to back-to-back comeback wins, each after falling behind by at least 15 points. That kind of resilience is no accident - it’s a sign of a team starting to find its identity, even with a roster still missing key pieces.
The next test? A matchup against the Sacramento Kings on November 30 at Golden 1 Center, with tip-off set for 8 p.m.
CT.
At 8-12, the Grizzlies are still digging out of an early-season hole, but they’re playing their best basketball of the year. Winners of four of their last five, they’ve started to build real momentum - and it all began with a statement win: a 137-96 demolition of these same Kings back in Memphis.
That wasn’t just a win; it was a message. The Grizzlies dominated every phase of the game, and they haven’t slowed down since.
One major reason for the turnaround? The emergence of rookie big man Zach Edey.
Since making his season debut, Edey has brought a physical edge to Memphis’ frontcourt that’s changed the team’s trajectory. He’s averaging a double-double - 11 points and 10.3 rebounds per game - and his impact has gone beyond the box score.
With Edey anchoring the paint, the Grizzlies have quietly become one of the NBA’s top rebounding teams, a major shift from earlier in the season.
And they’re doing all this without a single healthy point guard on the roster. That includes two-time All-Star Ja Morant, who remains sidelined with a right calf strain.
It’s forced Memphis to get creative with its ball-handling duties, leaning on wings and bigs to initiate offense and push tempo. It hasn’t always been pretty, but it’s working - and it’s building a level of toughness that could pay dividends down the line.
On the other side, Sacramento is still searching for answers. The Kings have dropped to 5-15 despite boasting a roster packed with scoring talent.
But talent only gets you so far. Sacramento ranks near the bottom of the league in rebounding, blocks, and point differential - three categories that speak to effort, execution, and consistency.
Without those, even the most talented teams struggle to close out games.
And now they’ll be without their All-Star centerpiece. Domantas Sabonis is out with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, a significant blow to the Kings’ interior presence. Point guard Dennis Schroder is also questionable with a hip flexor strain, leaving Sacramento potentially thin at two key positions.
That said, the Grizzlies haven’t had much luck in Sacramento in recent years. They’ve dropped four straight on the road against the Kings, and Sacramento still leads the all-time series 59-51.
But if there’s ever been a time for Memphis to flip the script, it’s now. They’ve got momentum, confidence, and a frontcourt that’s starting to bully teams on the glass.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. CT at Golden 1 Center. Fans can catch the action on the FanDuel Sports Network Southeast or stream it live via the FanDuel Sports app.
This one has the makings of a gritty, physical battle - and if the Grizzlies can extend their win streak, it’ll be another sign that this team is starting to turn the corner.