Memphis Grizzlies

Grit and grind. Two Conference Finals. Built around a sharp identity even when the roster turns over.

The story

Grit, grind, and a team that punched up

The Grizzlies began in Vancouver in 1995 and moved to Memphis in 2001. The defining era was Grit and Grind, a bruising 2010s team with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Tony Allen that nobody enjoyed playing.

That team never reached the Finals but earned respect by dragging contenders into the mud and winning ugly. It made Memphis a real basketball city.

Ja Morant brought explosive star power and a new identity, soaring above the rim, though off-court trouble has clouded the climb. The grit remains the heartbeat.

The peak came in 2013, when that bruising core reached the Western Conference finals and forced the league's glamour teams to win ugly.

For the fans

You like your basketball physical and your team disrespected. Memphis fans rally around an underdog with a chip on its shoulder.

For the punters

A defense-and-pace team whose ceiling rides on Morant's availability. With him, a live home dog; without him, fade the offense.

See the Grizzlies odds board →Rivalries: Thunder · Lakers

Power rank

trend -1

Record

20-34

Conference

West