On this episode of The Daily Memphian’s Memphis Grizzlies podcast, beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss Memphis’ Monday and Wednesday losses to the Nets and Bulls. 

Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant gave fans a bunch of Halloween treats at FedExForum Thursday night, with 26 points on 9-16 shooting, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in less than 29 minutes.

Related content:

Grizzlies will not pick up Jake LaRavia contract extension

Morant’s triple-double leads Grizzlies to big win over Bucks

Box score: Grizzlies 122, Bucks 99

Herrington: Five thoughts after a rough Grizzlies loss

Grizzlies Insider: Six stats already defining Memphis' start to the season

LaRavia was drafted in 2022 with the 19th overall pick. The 6-foot-7 forward out of Wake Forest was averaging 6.8 points and six rebounds before Thursday’s victory against Milwaukee.

Memphis came out hot, shooting 51% in the first half and holding the Bucks to 42%. The lead reached 31 early in the fourth quarter.

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at FedExForum.

Through five games, the Grizzlies rank eighth in the NBA in scoring offense and 27th in scoring defense. 

A few thoughts from Chris Herrington the morning after the Grizzlies’ 119-106 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Taylor Jenkins and Scotty Pippen Jr. voice frustration over defense. Ja Morant and Jared Jackson Jr. react to negative social media on players missing games. It’s been that kind of week.

Related content:

Despite JJJ’s 30-point effort, Nets beat turnover-prone Grizzlies

Grizzlies guards Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart out with injuries

Box score: Nets 119, Grizzlies 106

Grizzlies sign Colin Castleton to two-way contract

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 30 points, connecting on 10 of 12 shots, including all three of his 3-pointers.

This the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at FedExForum.

Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane left Wednesday’s game against Brooklyn with injuries. Neither player will return. 

Colin Castleton went undrafted out of Florida in 2023. He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers twice but was waived earlier this month. 

The single most notable thing about the Grizzlies to start the season has been just how deep and flat the rotation has been, despite missing three or four rotation-quality players in most games. 

Jenkins gave the Grizzlies forward an earful for his defense in Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss the first week of the season for the Memphis Grizzlies and the strong starts for Ja Morant, Santi Aldama and Jay Huff. 

Cheeseburgers are on the menu when the Grizzlies get to Philadelphia on Friday, courtesy of newly signed center Jay Huff. 

Related content:

Memphis Grizzlies sign Jay Huff to standard contract

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins voiced his frustrations with his team’s defense after Memphis blew a 20-point lead to the Chicago Bulls.

Related content: 

Box score: Bulls 126, Grizzlies 123

Grizzlies have no answer for Bulls' fourth-quarter comeback

Chicago used a fourth-quarter rush starting with about nine minutes left. After trailing by as many as 20, Chicago was able to overtake Memphis outscoring the Grizzlies 33-23 in the fourth quarter.

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at FedExForum.

Jay Huff has been a revelation to the Grizzlies, averaging 13 points and 1.7 blocks in the first three games of the regular season. 

Ja Morant and Nike hosted a Memphis basketball showcase and community block party called “The Get Up” Sunday at Snowden School in Midtown. Photographer Brad Vest was on hand to capture pictures.

Morant, Bane and Jackson shared the court for the first time in 295 days as the Grizzlies defeated Orlando in their home opener. The team wore “classic edition” Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms to mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

Related content:

Aldama scores 22, Huff has career-high 18 as Grizzlies beat Magic in home opener

Box score: Grizzlies 124, Magic 111

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.