2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season

The 2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 28th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 22nd in Memphis.

2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies season
Division champions
Head coachTaylor Jenkins
General managerJason Wexler
Owner(s)Robert Pera
ArenaFedExForum
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Southwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(lost to Lakers 2–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports South
Bally Sports Southeast
RadioWMFS-FM
< 2021–22 2023–24 >

The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive season and won the Southwest division title for the second consecutive season. In the playoffs the Grizzlies were upset by the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, losing in six games, becoming the sixth 2-seed team to lose a playoff series against a 7-seed, following the Dallas Mavericks in 1987, the Utah Jazz in 1989, the San Antonio Spurs in 1991, the Miami Heat in 1998, and the Dallas Mavericks again in 2010.

Throughout the season, the Grizzlies were marred by controversy, being heavily scrutinized for their antics and lack of maturity. Particularly scrutinized was Dillon Brooks, who was amongst the league leaders for most technical and flagrant fouls and, throughout the season, became known for cheap shots on opposing players and even a cameraman, leading to multiple fines and one-game suspensions. Ja Morant was also under much scrutiny for his and his entourage's outside conduct, with his entourage getting into a notably aggressive confrontation with the Indiana Pacers after a game, his father getting into repeated sideline confrontations, and Morant flashing a gun on Instagram Live which led him to get suspended for eight games near the end of the regular season. After the season ended, Morant flashed another gun on Instagram Live, leading to him being suspended for the first twenty-five games of the following season.

Following their loss to the Lakers, the team, particularly Morant and Brooks, was roundly mocked on social media due to their conduct throughout the season and postseason. After the season, Brooks was acquired by the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade agreement after being told he would "not be brought back under any circumstances" to the Grizzlies.

Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege/Club
122Walker KesslerCenter  United StatesAuburn
129TyTy WashingtonPoint guard  United StatesKentucky
247Vince Williams, Jr.Shooting guard  United StatesVCU

The Grizzlies had two first-round picks and one second-round pick entering the draft.[1] On draft night, they traded the draft rights of center Walker Kessler and guard TyTy Washington to the Timberwolves, in exchange for #19 pick Jake LaRavia.[2]

On June 24, they acquired the rights to Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler from the Spurs for a future 2nd-round pick.[3] On July 2, they would sign forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. of Louisiana Tech to a two-way contract, after he went undrafted.[4] Lofton Jr. would go on to win the G-League's Rookie of the Year Award as a featured member of their Memphis Hustle affiliate.[5]

Roster

2022–23 Memphis Grizzlies roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C4Adams, Steven  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)265 lb (120 kg)1993-07-20Pittsburgh
F/C7Aldama, Santi7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)215 lb (98 kg)2001-01-10Loyola (MD)
G22Bane, Desmond6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)1998-06-25TCU
G/F24Brooks, Dillon6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg)1996-01-22Oregon
F15Clarke, Brandon  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)1996-09-19Gonzaga
G0Gilyard, Jacob (TW)5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)160 lb (73 kg)1998-07-14Richmond
F/C13Jackson Jr., Jaren6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)242 lb (110 kg)1999-09-15Michigan State
G21Jones, Tyus6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)196 lb (89 kg)1996-05-10Duke
G10Kennard, Luke6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)206 lb (93 kg)1996-06-24Duke
G46Konchar, John6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)1996-03-22Purdue Fort Wayne
F3LaRavia, Jake6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)235 lb (107 kg)2001-11-03Wake Forest
F6Lofton Jr., Kenneth6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)275 lb (125 kg)2002-08-14Louisiana Tech
G12Morant, Ja6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)174 lb (79 kg)1999-08-10Murray State
F27Roddy, David6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)255 lb (116 kg)2001-03-27Colorado State
F2Tillman, Xavier6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)245 lb (111 kg)1999-01-12Michigan State
G5Williams Jr., Vince (TW)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg)2000-08-30VCU
F8Williams, Ziaire6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)185 lb (84 kg)2001-09-12Stanford
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 8, 2023

Standings

Division

Southwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yMemphis Grizzlies5131.62235‍–‍616‍–‍2513–382
piNew Orleans Pelicans4240.5129.027‍–‍1415‍–‍2611–582
Dallas Mavericks3844.46313.023‍–‍1815‍–‍269–782
Houston Rockets2260.26829.014‍–‍278‍–‍334–1282
San Antonio Spurs2260.26829.014‍–‍278‍–‍333–1382

Conference

Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1cDenver Nuggets *5329.64682
2yMemphis Grizzlies *5131.6222.082
3ySacramento Kings *4834.5855.082
4xPhoenix Suns4537.5498.082
5xLos Angeles Clippers4438.5379.082
6xGolden State Warriors4438.5379.082
7xLos Angeles Lakers4339.52410.082
8xMinnesota Timberwolves4240.51211.082
9piNew Orleans Pelicans4240.51211.082
10piOklahoma City Thunder4042.48813.082
11Dallas Mavericks3844.46315.082
12Utah Jazz3745.45116.082
13Portland Trail Blazers3349.40220.082
14Houston Rockets2260.26831.082
15San Antonio Spurs2260.26831.082

Game log

Preseason

2022 preseason game log
Total: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
Preseason: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1October 1@ MilwaukeeW 107–102 David Roddy (18)Santi Aldama (7)Kennedy Chandler (8)Fiserv Forum
13,023
1–0
2October 3OrlandoW 109–97 Ja Morant (22)John Konchar (9)Ja Morant (7)FedExForum
13,431
2–0
3October 7MiamiL 108–111 Dillon Brooks (18)Steven Adams (8)Tyus Jones (5)FedExForum
14,395
2–1
4October 11@ OrlandoL 105–109 Desmond Bane (33)Steven Adams (10)Brooks, Morant (4)Amway Center
16,006
2–2
5October 13@ DetroitW 126–111 Ja Morant (31)Adams, Aldama, Morant (8)Ja Morant (4)Little Caesars Arena
12,104
3–2
2022–23 season schedule

Regular season

2022–23 game log
Total: 51–31 (home: 35–6; road: 16–25)
October: 4–3 (home: 2–0; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1October 19New YorkW 115–112 (OT)Ja Morant (34)Steven Adams (14)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
18,202
1–0
2October 21@ HoustonW 129–122 Ja Morant (49)Adams, Aldama (9)Ja Morant (8)Toyota Center
17,878
2–0
3October 22@ DallasL 96–138 Ja Morant (20)Santi Aldama (6)Tyus Jones (5)American Airlines Center
20,377
2–1
4October 24BrooklynW 134–124 Bane, Morant (38)Steven Adams (13)Bane, Morant (7)FedExForum
17,392
3–1
5October 27@ SacramentoW 125–110 Desmond Bane (31)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (6)Golden 1 Center
15,511
4–1
6October 29@ UtahL 123–124 Desmond Bane (32)Steven Adams (10)Tyus Jones (10)Vivint Arena
18,206
4–2
7October 31@ UtahL 105–121 Ja Morant (37)Steven Adams (9)Ja Morant (4)Vivint Arena
18,206
4–3
November: 8–6 (home: 5–2; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
8November 2@ PortlandW 121–105 Desmond Bane (29)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (7)Moda Center
19,462
5–3
9November 4CharlotteW 130–99 Dillon Brooks (23)Steven Adams (19)Ja Morant (11)FedExForum
17,187
6–3
10November 6WashingtonW 103–97 Desmond Bane (28)Adams, Aldama (10)Ja Morant (6)FedExForum
16,877
7–3
11November 7BostonL 106–109 Ja Morant (30)Clarke, Morant (8)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
17,371
7–4
12November 9@ San AntonioW 124–122 (OT)Bane, Morant (32)Steven Adams (19)Desmond Bane (6)AT&T Center
13,507
8–4
13November 11MinnesotaW 114–103 Ja Morant (28)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
16,939
9–4
14November 13@ WashingtonL 92–102 Dillon Brooks (19)Steven Adams (10)Steven Adams (6)Capital One Arena
17,667
9–5
15November 15@ New OrleansL 102–113 Ja Morant (36)Brandon Clarke (13)Ja Morant (4)Smoothie King Center
14,032
9–6
16November 18Oklahoma CityW 121–110 Jaren Jackson Jr. (25)Jaren Jackson Jr. (12)Ja Morant (11)FedExForum
17,324
10–6
17November 20@ BrooklynL 115–127 Dillon Brooks (31)Steven Adams (10)John Konchar (7)Barclays Center
18,241
10–7
18November 22SacramentoL 109–113 Ja Morant (34)Steven Adams (16)Jones, Morant (6)FedExForum
16,826
10–8
19November 25New OrleansW 132–111 Dillon Brooks (25)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (11)FedExForum
17,794
11–8
20November 27@ New YorkW 127–123 Ja Morant (27)Adams, Morant (10)Ja Morant (14)Madison Square Garden
19,524
12–8
21November 30@ MinnesotaL 101–109 Ja Morant (24)Steven Adams (12)Ja Morant (6)Target Center
15,980
12–9
December: 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
22December 2PhiladelphiaW 117–109 Ja Morant (28)Steven Adams (16)Steven Adams (6)FedExForum
17,022
13–9
23December 4@ DetroitW 122–112 Ja Morant (33)Brandon Clarke (14)Ja Morant (10)Little Caesars Arena
20,088
14–9
24December 5MiamiW 101–93 Tyus Jones (28)Santi Aldama (10)Tyus Jones (10)FedExForum
16,122
15–9
25December 7Oklahoma CityW 123–102 Ja Morant (26)Ja Morant (13)Ja Morant (11)FedExForum
15,942
16–9
26December 9DetroitW 114–103 Jaren Jackson Jr. (20)Steven Adams (8)Ja Morant (12)FedExForum
17,103
17–9
27December 12AtlantaW 128–103 Tyus Jones (22)Jackson Jr., Konchar (7)Tyus Jones (11)FedExForum
16,544
18–9
28December 15MilwaukeeW 142–101 Ja Morant (25)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (10)FedExForum
17,794
19–9
29December 17@ Oklahoma CityL 109–115 Dillon Brooks (32)Clarke, Jackson Jr. (8)John Konchar (3)Paycom Center
16,895
19–10
30December 20@ DenverL 91–105 Ja Morant (35)Steven Adams (10)Ja Morant (10)Ball Arena
19,605
19–11
31December 23@ PhoenixW 125–100 Clarke, Jackson Jr. (24)Steven Adams (11)Ja Morant (11)Footprint Center
17,071
20–11
32December 25@ Golden StateL 109–123 Ja Morant (36)Steven Adams (14)Ja Morant (8)Chase Center
18,064
20–12
33December 27PhoenixL 108–125 Ja Morant (34)Steven Adams (9)Ja Morant (6)FedExForum
18,239
20–13
34December 29@ TorontoW 119–106 Dillon Brooks (25)Steven Adams (17)Ja Morant (17)Scotiabank Arena
19,800
21–13
35December 31New OrleansW 116–101 Ja Morant (32)Steven Adams (21)Jones, Morant (8)FedExForum
17,951
22–13
January: 10–5 (home: 7–0; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
36January 1SacramentoW 118–108 Ja Morant (35)Steven Adams (23)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
17,794
23–13
37January 4@ CharlotteW 131–107 Ja Morant (23)Steven Adams (15)Ja Morant (8)Spectrum Center
19,077
24–13
38January 5@ OrlandoW 123–115 Ja Morant (32)Jaren Jackson Jr. (10)Tyus Jones (8)Amway Center
18,500
25–13
39January 8UtahW 123–118 Desmond Bane (24)Xavier Tillman (9)Desmond Bane (9)FedExForum
17,794
26–13
40January 9San AntonioW 121–113 Tyus Jones (24)Steven Adams (15)Tyus Jones (6)FedExForum
16,013
27–13
41January 11San AntonioW 135–129 Ja Morant (38)Steven Adams (18)Steven Adams (5)FedExForum
16,454
28–13
42January 14@ IndianaW 130–112 Desmond Bane (25)Jaren Jackson Jr. (10)Ja Morant (10)Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,274
29–13
43January 16PhoenixW 136–106 Ja Morant (29)Steven Adams (9)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
17,794
30–13
44January 18ClevelandW 115–114 Desmond Bane (25)Steven Adams (10)Ja Morant (8)FedExForum
16,892
31–13
45January 20@ L.A. LakersL 121–122 Ja Morant (22)Steven Adams (17)Ja Morant (8)Crypto.com Arena
18,997
31–14
46January 22@ PhoenixL 110–112 Ja Morant (27)Steven Adams (16)Ja Morant (8)Footprint Center
17,071
31–15
47January 23@ SacramentoL 100–133 Desmond Bane (21)Jones, Tillman (6)Tyus Jones (8)Golden 1 Center
17,821
31–16
48January 25@ Golden StateL 120–122 Ja Morant (29)Brandon Clarke (8)Ja Morant (12)Chase Center
18,064
31–17
49January 27@ MinnesotaL 100–111 Ja Morant (27)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (11)Target Center
17,136
31–18
50January 29IndianaW 112–100 Jaren Jackson Jr. (28)Xavier Tillman (11)Ja Morant (15)FedExForum
17,794
32–18
February: 5–5 (home: 5–2; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
51February 1PortlandL 112–122 Ja Morant (32)Xavier Tillman (10)Ja Morant (12)FedExForum
14,589
32–19
52February 2@ ClevelandL 113–128 Desmond Bane (25)Santi Aldama (10)Ja Morant (8)Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
19,432
32–20
53February 5TorontoL 103–106 Desmond Bane (26)Xavier Tillman (9)Tyus Jones (7)FedExForum
17,794
32–21
54February 7ChicagoW 104–89 Ja Morant (34)Brandon Clarke (13)Ja Morant (7)FedExForum
17,012
33–21
55February 10MinnesotaW 128–107 Ja Morant (32)Ja Morant (9)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
17,794
34–21
56February 12@ BostonL 109–119 Ja Morant (25)Aldama, Jackson Jr. (7)Bane, Morant (7)TD Garden
19,156
34–22
57February 15UtahW 117–111 Jaren Jackson Jr. (26)Brandon Clarke (10)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
16,748
35–22
58February 23@ PhiladelphiaL 105–110 Desmond Bane (25)Xavier Tillman (12)Tyus Jones (6)Wells Fargo Center
21,205
35–23
59February 25DenverW 112–94 Ja Morant (23)Brandon Clarke (9)Tyus Jones (5)FedExForum
18,302
36–23
60February 28L.A. LakersW 121–109 Ja Morant (39)Xavier Tillman (11)Ja Morant (10)FedExForum
17,794
37–23
March: 12–5 (home: 8–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
61March 1@ HoustonW 113–99 Desmond Bane (30)Desmond Bane (9)Ja Morant (7)Toyota Center
15,919
38–23
62March 3@ DenverL 97–113 Ja Morant (27)Xavier Tillman (10)Ja Morant (10)Ball Arena
19,641
38–24
63March 5@ L.A. ClippersL 129–135 Desmond Bane (30)Jackson Jr., Tillman (5)Tyus Jones (12)Crypto.com Arena
19,068
38–25
64March 7@ L.A. LakersL 103–112 Jaren Jackson Jr. (26)Xavier Tillman (10)Bane, Kennard (5)Crypto.com Arena
18,997
38–26
65March 9Golden StateW 131–110 Tyus Jones (22)Jaren Jackson Jr. (9)Tyus Jones (11)FedExForum
17,794
39–26
66March 11DallasW 112–108 Desmond Bane (25)Xavier Tillman (8)Tyus Jones (10)FedExForum
17,794
40–26
67March 13@ DallasW 104–88 Desmond Bane (23)Santi Aldama (9)Desmond Bane (7)American Airlines Center
20,303
41–26
68March 15@ MiamiL 119–138 Jaren Jackson Jr. (25)Jaren Jackson Jr. (9)Tyus Jones (5)Miami-Dade Arena
19,794
41–27
69March 17@ San AntonioW 126–120 (OT)Jaren Jackson Jr. (28)Tyus Jones (10)Tyus Jones (10)AT&T Center
15,221
42–27
70March 18Golden StateW 133–119 Jaren Jackson Jr. (31)Xavier Tillman (10)Tyus Jones (14)FedExForum
18,396
43–27
71March 20DallasW 112–108 Jaren Jackson Jr. (28)Santi Aldama (14)Tyus Jones (6)FedExForum
17,794
44–27
72March 22HoustonW 130–125 Jaren Jackson Jr. (37)Jaren Jackson Jr. (10)Bane, Jones (7)FedExForum
17,794
45–27
73March 24HoustonW 151–114 Luke Kennard (30)Jaren Jackson Jr. (7)Tyus Jones (9)FedExForum
17,851
46–27
74March 26@ AtlantaW 123–119 Ja Morant (27)Jackson Jr., Tillman (8)Ja Morant (6)State Farm Arena
18,056
47–27
75March 28OrlandoW 113–108 Desmond Bane (31)Jaren Jackson Jr. (10)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
16,507
48–27
76March 29L.A. ClippersL 132–141 Ja Morant (36)Xavier Tillman (9)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
16,775
48–28
77March 31L.A. ClippersW 108–94 Desmond Bane (22)Aldama, Jackson Jr., Tillman (8)Desmond Bane (9)FedExForum
16,376
49–28
April : 2–3 (home: 1–0; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
78April 2@ ChicagoL 107–128 Jaren Jackson Jr. (31)Ja Morant (10)Ja Morant (10)United Center
20,944
49–29
79April 4PortlandW 119–109 Desmond Bane (30)Santi Aldama (11)Ja Morant (9)FedExForum
17,558
50–29
80April 6@ New OrleansL 131–138 (OT)Jaren Jackson Jr. (40)Jackson Jr., Konchar (9)Tyus Jones (12)Smoothie King Center
17,232
50–30
81April 7@ MilwaukeeW 137–114 Jaren Jackson Jr. (36)Desmond Bane (8)Tyus Jones (9)Fiserv Forum
18,010
51–30
82April 9@ Oklahoma CityL 100–115 Kenneth Lofton Jr. (42)Kenneth Lofton Jr. (14)Ziaire Williams (9)Paycom Center
16,601
51–31
2022–23 season schedule

Playoffs

2023 playoff game log
Total: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
First Round: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 16L.A. LakersL 112–128 Jaren Jackson Jr. (31)Aldama, Morant (6)Desmond Bane (6)FedExForum
18,487
0–1
2April 19L.A. LakersW 103–93 Xavier Tillman (22)Xavier Tillman (13)Tyus Jones (8)FedExForum
17,928
1–1
3April 22@ L.A. LakersL 101–111 Ja Morant (45)Xavier Tillman (12)Ja Morant (13)Crypto.com Arena
18,997
1–2
4April 24@ L.A. LakersL 111–117 (OT)Desmond Bane (36)Jaren Jackson Jr. (14)Ja Morant (7)Crypto.com Arena
18,997
1–3
5April 26L.A. LakersW 116–99 Desmond Bane (33)Bane, Jackson Jr., Morant(10)Ja Morant (7)FedExForum
18,117
2–3
6April 28@ L.A. LakersL 85–125 Santi Aldama (16)Roddy, Tillman (6)Ja Morant (6)Crypto.com Arena
18,997
2–4
2023 playoff schedule

Transactions

Trades

June 24, 2022[6]To Memphis Grizzlies
Draft rights to Jake LaRavia (No. 19)
2023 MIN second-round pick
To Minnesota Timberwolves
Draft rights to Walker Kessler (No. 22)
Draft rights to TyTy Washington Jr. (No. 29)
June 24, 2022[7]To Memphis Grizzlies
Danny Green
Draft rights to David Roddy (No. 23)
To Philadelphia 76ers
De'Anthony Melton
June 24, 2022[8]To Memphis Grizzlies
Draft rights to Kennedy Chandler (No. 38)
To San Antonio Spurs
2024 LAL second-round pick
Cash considerations

Free agents

Re-signed

PlayerSignedRef.
Tyus JonesJuly 6[9]

Additions

PlayerSignedFormer teamRef.
Kenneth Lofton Jr.Two-way contractLouisiana Tech[10]

Subtractions

PlayerReason leftNew teamRef.
Yves PonsFree agentASVEL[11]
Kyle AndersonFree agentMinnesota Timberwolves[12]

References