Calkins: On opening night in Memphis, Grizz fans got everything they wanted
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant celebrates during action against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
All you need to know about the Grizzlies 24th home opener in Memphis is that this was the only real suspense at the end.
It delivered Ja Morant throwing alley-oops and receiving them, too.
It delivered Jaren Jackson Jr. making an emphatic season debut.
It delivered Zach Edey with his first 3-pointer of the year.
It delivered Scotty Pippen Jr. dishing a career-high 12 assists.
It delivered Jay Huff — Jay Huff! — electrifying the crowd with two reverse slams, one off an alley-oop pass from Marcus Smart from beyond half court.
And then, with the sellout crowd chanting the name of a player most had never heard of six weeks ago, it delivered Yuki Kawamura, bounding off the bench.
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Memphis Grizzlies Subscriber Only Yuki Kawamura Ja Morant Jaren Jackson Jr. Jay HuffThank you for supporting local journalism.
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