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Ranking Grizzlies’ In-Season Tournament opponents from worst to first

By Mark Nilon

Dec 29, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in action during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in action during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tuesday, August 15 the NBA officially released the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament schedule. All 30 teams across the association are slated to participate in the festivities, with each being broken down into one of six groups (three from each conference) of five. Looking at who the Memphis Grizzlies are paired with, fans seem to be in for quite an exhilarating stretch of action.

Of their four early opponents, two are viewed as legitimate title contenders heading into 2023-24 while three finished with 37 or more wins last season in the grueling Western Conference race.

Grizzlies are in for serious action during 2023-24 In-Season Tournament

Despite the fact that none of these matchups should be viewed as shoo-in wins at this point in time, there does appear to be a very clear hierarchy among their Group A opponents. With this in mind, here is a rankings list consisting of all four of the Grizzlies’ matchups ranging from easiest to hardest.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (November 3)

As mentioned already, three of the four teams the Grizzlies will be squaring off against during this preliminary round of the In-Season Tournament finished the 2022-23 campaign off with 37 or more victories.

The Portland Trail Blazers were not one of said teams.

Instead, they ended the year with the fifth-worst record in the association at 33-49 and missed out on the postseason for the second year in a row.

Now, there was certainly a bright spot that came out of their lackluster season turnout, as they landed the third overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft and wound up nabbing G League Ignite phenom Scoot Henderson to serve as their building block of the future.

However, considering the downward trajectory this organization is currently facing what with the trade request of superstar Damian Lillard this summer, Portland hanging their hats on the promise of Henderson will likely not translate to many wins this coming year.

With this, the tanking Blazers should not be viewed as much of a threat to the Grizzlies, be it during the tournament or, frankly, at any other point throughout the year.

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