The Memphis Grizzlies, riding a perfect 4-0 start, head to Portland for an October 29 showdown heavy with narrative. Their opponent is the 3-0 Trail Blazers, but the spotlight will be on former franchise star Ja Morant in his first game against Memphis since his June trade. The Grizzlies are coming off a 110-105 victory over the Utah Jazz on October 26, part of a four-game winning streak that includes wins over the Kings, Warriors, and Jazz again.
Ja Morant admitted he hasn't fully processed the emotions of playing his former team. The two-time All-Star, known for his underdog mentality, is taking a different approach this time. "I'm not a big grudge guy or anything like that," Morant said. He revealed he still talks regularly with former teammates like GG Jackson, Zach Edey, and Scotty Pippen Jr., discussing their respective games. Morant has watched every Grizzlies contest this season, so he needs little extra scouting. For him, it's "just another basketball game on the schedule" as both teams look to protect their unbeaten records.
This matchup is a major early-season test for a Grizzlies squad that has seamlessly opened the campaign with four consecutive wins. Their recent form shows impressive offensive firepower, scoring 123 points against the Jazz on October 21 and 123 again versus the Kings on October 25. Beating a motivated Morant and a fellow undefeated team on the road would send a powerful statement about their cohesion and resilience post-trade. It's a chance to prove their hot start is built on sustainable team basketball, not only a soft schedule.
Immediate focus is solely on handling the emotional challenge in Portland and extending their win run to five. The outcome will provide a clear benchmark for where this new-look Grizzlies team stands. A win reinforces their status as a serious force in the Western Conference early on. Regardless of result, the game concludes a challenging back-to-back set that saw them beat Utah just days prior. How they manage fatigue and emotion will be telling for the grueling NBA schedule ahead. The team's depth and the continued development of their young core will be under the microscope in this high-profile contest.
