This opener at FedExForum was a show: The blend of athleticism, creativity and personality that marks NBA hoops at its most enjoyable.

After a season of misery, Memphis fans got everything they wanted in Saturday’s home opener. Including the return of Ja Morant, the debut of Yuki Kawamura — and an unexpected hero in a Hufflepuff shirt.

Santi Aldama scored 22 points, reserve center Jay Huff added a career-high 18 and the Memphis Grizzlies built a 26-point halftime team in a 124-111 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in their home opener.

NBA box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic.

The Grizzlies allowed Houston to score 56 points off second chances and turnovers in a disappointing showing on Friday night. 

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Box score: Rockets 128, Grizzlies 108

Grizzlies Insider: Dillon Brooks says Zach Edey is a ‘great professional'

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Friday’s matchup promises some fireworks when Ja Morant and Zach Edey go up against Dillon Brooks and the Houston Rockets.

Did the Grizzlies find the future of the franchise in Standish, Maine? Memphis is the latest NBA team to take a big chance at hitting the NCAA Division III jackpot. 

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Herrington: Morant’s peak form, Edey’s rough debut in Grizzlies opener

Nike pop-up truck with exclusive Ja 2 merch coming to Memphis this weekend

The Memphis Grizzlies announced that two of their courts will recognize late basketball operations president Jerry West.

Nike is bringing a Ja 2 pop-up truck to Memphis and hosting a community block party in coming days.

Chris Herrington’s four next-day reactions to the Grizzlies’ 126-124 opening win Wednesday over the Utah Jazz. The four involve Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Jay Huff and Marcus Smart.

Santi Aldama said he wasn’t worried about a contract extension. He backed up his words with his actions after a Grizzlies win on Wednesday. 

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Morant, Aldama, Bane all top 20 points in Grizzlies win over Jazz

Box score: Grizzlies 126, Jazz 124

Ja Morant had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in his return to power the Memphis Grizzlies over the Utah Jazz. Santi Aldama led with 27 points, followed by Desmond Bane with 24.

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City.

FedEx exec Richard Smith says this is a critical moment for Downtown Memphis — and the Grizzlies, FedExForum and Beale Street may be the key.

Richard Smith was as surprised as anyone when Fred Smith, his father, decided the family would give $50 million to help renovate the stadium. Here’s Smith on crime, Ja Morant, conference realignment and how that gift came to be.

Drew Hill provides the latest on the injury to Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and why he believes Memphis’ caution with the big man is warranted. 

This season has the potential to be a redemption song for both Ja Morant and his team, and those stories are very much entwined.

Although his hamstring injury is progressing well, the Grizzlies are choosing to hold out Jaren Jackson Jr. from the season opener while being mindful of his conditioning. 

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Grizzlies Insider: Morant says Memphis ‘way ahead’ in season preparation

Ja Morant said the Grizzlies are way ahead of past preseasons in terms of preparation. Memphis will play the Utah Jazz in its regular season opener. 

From Ja’s return to lineup/rotation guesses and suggestions, catch all 10 of Chris Herrington’s takeaways from preseason play.

The Grizzlies had a two-way roster spot open up after signing point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. to a standard contract earlier this week.

Ja Morant returned to the FedExForum court on Friday, and he reminded Grizzlies fans why they missed him so much. 

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Box score: Heat 114, Grizzlies 109

Bally Sports rebrands to FanDuel Sports Network

This is the box score for the NBA preseason game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat at FedExForum on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

While an NBA truism is that the biggest stars win titles, the belief here is that depth will be of increasing importance in the regular season.