Memphis Grizzlies: 5 dream opponents for a Christmas Day game

Will Memphis Grizzlies finally earn long awaited Christmas Day game?

We should be learning more about the 2022-23 NBA schedule in the coming weeks, including whether or not will the Memphis Grizzlies will be competing in one of the most coveted slots in the entire calendar: Christmas Day.

The Memphis Grizzlies have never played a game on Christmas Day. All signs point to that trend finally ending on December 25, 2022.

There are lots of extra eyeballs on the NBA product on Christmas. You have the diehard fans that put the game on the family TV, forcing everyone else in the family to tune in and watch.

The one caveat that gives me pause when thinking of the Memphis Grizzlies playing on Christmas, is that it’s unclear if Jaren Jackson Jr. will be available for a Christmas Day game or not.

The NBA wants to have as much star power as possible featured in these games that draw millions of viewers. Ja Morant probably brings enough star power on his own, but a Jackson-less Grizzlies makes them just a little bit of a milquetoast choice.

But, perhaps more so, will the Grizzlies have a good enough record for people to care about the Grizzlies in December? Jackson’s absence could have a drastically negative impact on the team’s record.

In all likelihood, Morant has enough star power to get fans to tune in for a Memphis Grizzlies Christmas Day Game in 2022.

So, let’s go through a pick out five dream opponents for this squad to compete against on one of the biggest stages of the NBA regular season.

There are two things you can count on in life: taxes and the Lakers playing on December 25 every year.

Seriously, the LA Lakers have played every Christmas Day since 1999. What better way to usher in this festive day with the old guard taking on the new guard?

You’ve got LeBron James and Anthony Davis taking on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Things were mighty chippy when these two teams played each other last season.

You also have the Ziaire Williams connection. He played with LeBron’s son, Bronny, at Sierra Canyon and has thought of LeBron James as an uncle, which will make for an intriguing storyline for fans not normally tuning in to NBA games.

Plus, who could forget Ja Morant’s unbelievable block last season against these Lakers? It was one of the best plays of the entire regular season.

The Lakers are always on TV on Christmas Day. Ja Morant is one of the league’s brightest young stars. Make it happen, Commissioner!