For the first time this season, the Memphis Grizzlies had their full complement of starters in the lineup.
Jaren Jackson Jr. made his season debut, joining Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, and Zach Edey as the projected starting five. Their combined efforts helped secure a 124-111 win over the Orlando Magic.
“Those three guys are special,” said Head Coach Taylor Jenkins. “They’re the leaders of what we’re building here. I’ve been challenging them individually, but those three guys are difference makers for us, on and off the court. It’s going to take sacrifice and unselfishness. All three had a tremendous impact tonight, but now we have to replicate that as a team. It’s not any one guy’s night; it’s a team effort.”
The game also marked the Grizzlies’ home opener, and before tipoff, Bane addressed the crowd, thanking fans for their support. This season’s Grizzlies aim to play a faster, up-tempo style, and their opening performances suggest they’re well on their way. Last year, Memphis didn’t notch their first home win until November 29.
Jay Huff brought a spark off the bench late in the first quarter, scoring 8 points in just 3 minutes. Memphis led 34-24 at the end of the first, with Santi Aldama adding a steady 7 points in the quarter.
A three-pointer from Edey early in the second quarter extended the Grizzlies’ lead to 50-39. Edey, who had picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter, spent most of that period on the bench but found his rhythm in the second.
Memphis showcased its depth, with 11 of 12 dressed players seeing action and all scoring in the first half. A sequence of plays highlighted their chemistry—Aldama set up Morant for a dunk, and moments later, Morant returned the favor, finding Aldama to give Memphis a 22-point lead. The Grizzlies took a commanding 69-43 lead into halftime, with Morant and Aldama each posting 11 points.
Memphis kept the pressure on in the third quarter. Bane’s three-point play extended the lead to a game-high 83-54. However, the Magic responded with a 21-0 run, closing the gap to 83-75 with just under three minutes left in the quarter. Jackson ended the run with a basket, followed by a three-pointer from Huff, keeping the lead in double digits. The Grizzlies entered the fourth quarter up 90-78.
Huff continued his strong play in the fourth, scoring 7 points and reigniting the Grizzlies’ momentum. With 2:04 left, Bane intentionally fouled to bring rookie Yuki Kawamura into the game, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Orlando (2-1) stayed competitive, with Franz Wagner scoring 23 points, Jalen Suggs adding 21, and Paolo Banchero contributing 16 points and 7 rebounds. The Magic hit 17 three-pointers to keep the game within reach.
Huff set a career-high with 18 points off the bench, and Aldama led all scorers with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Memphis showed balanced scoring, with six players in double figures. Morant posted 16 points, Jackson added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Scottie Pippen Jr. dished out a career-high 12 assists.
Reflecting on the bench’s contributions, Pippen said, “Coach [Jenkins] emphasized that the bench needed to come in and push the pace, and I think we did just that. Jay Huff and others got it going, which helped us build that lead. So, praise to us and the bench.”
Bane added, “We’re not close to having the full band back together. We still have Luke [Kennard], Vince [Williams Jr.], GG [Jackson], and Cam [Spencer]… but it definitely felt good. I told Jaren I’m excited to play with him again. He’s a difference-maker for us.”
Morant, who was listed as questionable, credited fans on Grizzlies Twitter for inspiring him to suit up. “It feels good to have guys coming back,” he said. “We have others in their recovery process.”
Next up, the Grizzlies host a trio of home games. They face the Chicago Bulls on Monday, October 29, the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, October 30, and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, October 31. All games tip off at 7 p.m. CT.
