The Grizzlies went just 25-57 last season and ended 2025/26 in full-on tank mode, having signed several G League players to 10-day hardship contracts in the last couple months. Then they traded former franchise player Ja Morant to Portland in July, completely turning the page on the old core.

The way last season ended, combined with the trades of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, understandably led to some frustration from fans, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscriber link). But those fans have had plenty to cheer for early on in 2026/27 — the Grizzlies blew out the Kings on Saturday to improve to 6-0, matching the best start in franchise history.

No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer led the way with 27 points — a new career high — to go along with nine rebounds in 26 minutes. Isaiah Stewart (24 points on nine field goal attempts in 20 minutes) and GG Jackson II (21 points on 10 field goal attempts in 21 minutes) had big games off the bench, with Cam Spencer (10 points, 13 assists, five rebounds in 25 minutes) filling in admirably for Ty Jerome, who’s battling a nagging back injury.

Here’s more on the Grizzlies:

• Head coach Tuomas Iisalo was pleased with Spencer’s decision-making after Saturday’s game (Twitter video link). “He’s one of the best shooters in the world and we encourage him to take as many shots as possible,” Iisalo said. “And that’s really what opens up other opportunities. … He played with a little bit different lineup composition with different type of guys. … There’s a different type of balance with the units. And I thought he brought a lot of spacing. He, like you said, 13 assists and zero turnovers, played with a lot of poise, and made sure everybody was involved.”
• Asked in his postgame interview about the team’s biggest challenge in the short term amid the 6-0 start, Stewart said Memphis can’t become complacent (Twitter video link via Brink Radio). “Well, we can’t get comfortable,” Stewart said. “We haven’t done anything yet. We gotta continue to keep our heads down and keep chipping away at the goal. … It’s great that we put ourselves in a great position, but there’s a ton of work to be done.” Stewart also talked about the Grizzlies’ impressive depth after the game, per Michael Wallace of Grind City Media (Twitter video link).
• Fans began chanting “We want Lopez” with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and the game out of reach, and Iisalo eventually granted their wish, putting rookie forward Karim Lopez in for the final four-plus minutes, Cole writes in another story (subscription required). The 19th overall pick in the draft scored his first career points and got the game ball afterward.