The Memphis Grizzlies open their 2026-27 NBA regular season at home against the Utah Jazz tonight, October 21, ready to turn the page on a difficult year. The team enters with momentum from a 116-98 preseason victory over the Charlotte Hornets on October 16, capping a 3-1 exhibition slate that also saw wins over Atlanta and Chicago. This season marks a definitive new chapter for a franchise that finished 25-57 last year, a record that cannot be repeated.
It's a roster built on youth and potential. The team's focal point is Cameron Boozer, the 19-year-old reigning Rookie of the Year front-runner. Jerami Grant, at 32, is the veteran anchor and the only player with over a decade of NBA experience. Beyond Grant and Ty Jerome, who has seven seasons, the core is incredibly young. Players like GG Jackson, Taylor Hendricks, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are still developing their games. The preseason offered glimpses of their offensive firepower, scoring 132 points against Atlanta on October 5 and 118 in a close loss to Orlando two days later.
Last year's 25-win campaign set a clear floor. Another season like that would be unacceptable. But the definition of success for this group is more nuanced than just avoiding failure. Is it making the play-in tournament? Is it seeing significant development from the young core? Head coach Taylor Jenkins will be tasked with blending raw talent with the steadying presence of Grant. The front office needs to see progress to justify this rebuild. Every game, starting with the Jazz, is a data point in that evaluation.
The Grizzlies finished the preseason with a 3-1 record, showing offensive spark but also the expected inconsistencies of a young team. After a 132-123 win in Atlanta on October 5, they fell 122-118 to Orlando. They then edged the Chicago Bulls 104-100 on October 9 before the commanding 18-point win over Charlotte to close. These games allowed Jenkins to test rotations and gave the rookies valuable NBA minutes against real competition. The 116 points against Charlotte, while just an exhibition, is the kind of offensive output they'll need regularly.
All focus is on the Utah Jazz tonight at FedExForum. It's the first real test for this reconfigured lineup. The Jazz will provide an immediate measuring stick for where Memphis stands in the Western Conference. The development of Boozer, the leadership of Grant, and the growth of players like Jackson and Hendricks will be the season's main storylines. The journey from a 25-win team to a playoff contender starts now, and it begins with defending their home court. Fans can view the full season schedule on our schedule page.
