After a long, slow offseason, things are starting to pick up for the Memphis Grizzlies with the 2022-23 schedule is finally upon us.
The NBA will release the 2022-23 schedule in its entirety at around 2 p.m. CT on August 17. However, we already know of a handful of dates and games (many of them marquee matchups) that you’ll want to be sure to circle on your calendar.
As of this writing, we’re still waiting to find out when former players like Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton might be returning to FedEx Forum for the first time since being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.
But, with that being said, let’s go ahead and dive in and identify some of the big, marquee games and dates that will be important for fans to note before the entire schedule is released.
When is the first Memphis Grizzlies preseason game of 2022-23?
The very first preseason game for the Grizzlies is reportedly set for October 1, 2022 at Milwaukee to take on the Bucks.
It’ll be the first time the team will be on an NBA court since losing to the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals back in May.
It’s unlikely we see much action from the starters, but we could get a few looks at how well the rookies mesh with some of the existing starters and rotation players.
We might even see a few reps from guys trying to make the final roster like Killian Tillie, Dakota Mathias, and Jacob Gilyard. The former being the likely 18th man on a 17-man roster and the latter two being on Exhibit 10 contracts most likely being utilized to help balance things out to an even 20 players in training camp.
When is the first Memphis Grizzlies game of the 2022-23 regular season?
Fred Katz of The Athletic has reported that the Memphis Grizzlies will open the 2022-23 regular season against the New York Knicks at home.
It’ll be the league’s first official viewing of how well New York’s new big three of Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle play together.
The Memphis Grizzlies will open the regular season at home Oct. 19 vs the New York Knicks, per @FredKatz. pic.twitter.com/0ykINqR5ht
— Beale Street Bears (@BealeStBearsFS) August 16, 2022
Plus, it’ll be the first opportunity to see Brunson, the Knicks’ big free agent acquisition from this offseason.
No word on whether or not this is a nationally televised game, but I would lean towards the answer being yes and it being carried by ESPN.
Who are the Grizzlies playing on MLK Day in 2023?
A longtime NBA tradition has been featuring a game in Memphis on national television on MLK Day. The 2022-23 season is no exception, with the Phoenix Suns reportedly traveling to Memphis on January 16, 2023.
The last time the Suns came to the FedEx Forum, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton got smoked by Dillon Brooks and a bunch of reserves in a late regular season game. It was spectacular.
The Suns are once again expected to be atop the Western Conference food chain. This will be a great mid-season test for the Grizzlies and one we hope Jaren Jackson Jr. is healthy enough to compete in on a big stage.
When is the 2023 NBA All-Star Game?
The All-Star Game is a big date on the regular season schedule. It’s becoming of more interest and note in Memphis due to Ja Morant and some of his supporting cast being invited to participate in events during that weekend.
This year, the All-Star Game will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19, 2023.
Grizzlies fans will want to keep an eye on Morant to see if he can become the first Grizzlies player to make it to an All-Star game in consecutive seasons.
Pau Gasol was a one-time All-Star while a member of the Grizzlies. Zach Randolph made it to an ASG in 2009-10 and 2012-23. And Marc Gasol had some gaps between his three appearances: 2011-12, 2014-15, and 2016-17.
Will any Grizzlies players join Morant in SLC? Perhaps Desmond Bane? Or maybe a couple of the rookies or sophomore players to compete in the Rising Stars challenge?
Memphis has a great chance to be well represented at All-Star Weekend 2023.
Are the Memphis Grizzlies playing on Christmas Day 2022?
It’s happening! The league has reportedly awarded the Memphis Grizzlies a game on one of the most coveted days on the regular season schedule: Christmas Day.
I feel like the lady from Titanic saying “it’s been 84 years…” but it has, indeed, been a very long time of watching NBA games on Christmas Day and never seeing the Grizzlies.
For the first time in the 27-year history of this franchise, the Memphis Grizzlies will be playing on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022.
The Grizzlies have to travel to San Francisco to take on the Warriors and it’ll likely be during primetime or the late game since it’ll be on the West Coast.
It’ll make for a long day and a long night in Memphis, but fans will be juiced up and stay up late to watch this exciting rematch between fast-growing rivals.