After heading into the NBA's All-Star break as the number two-seed in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies used a 12-16 record after the break to freefall to the eighth-seed. Before the 2020 season, that would've meant the Grizzlies would be facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
However, the 2021 season saw a change with the NBA officially adding a play-in tournament to give the eighth seed a chance to play the seventh seed, with the winner advancing to play the second seed. This year's second seed, the Houston Rockets, would be a more favorable matchup for the Grizzlies than the Thunder.
Although the Grizzlies went a combined 1-7 against the Thunder and Rockets this season, their one win came against Houston, with three of their four games being tightly contested battles that could've been won by either side. First, the Grizzlies play a familiar postseason opponent in the Golden State Warriors, whom they have eliminated in the play-in tournament before.
Grizzlies Play-in history
August 15, 2020: Portland Trail Blazers - 126, Memphis Grizzlies - 122
In the NBA's first play-in tournament that was executed in the bubble after the COVID-19 shutdown, the ninth-seeded Grizzlies had to beat the eighth-seeded Trail Blazers twice to make the playoffs. Led by Rookie of the Year winner Ja Morant's 35 points, the Grizzlies led by five points heading into the fourth quarter before Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum led the Blazers to the comeback win.
May 19, 2021: Memphis Grizzlies - 100, San Antonio Spurs - 96
The following season, the NBA implemented the current play-in tournament format to include the 10th seed battling the ninth seed, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the seventh seed vs eighth seed game. The Grizzlies entered this game as the ninth seed again and won a defensive battle against the Spurs.
The Grizzlies had to overcome a bench unit that finished the game with four players in the double digits minus of plus/minus to hold off the Spurs for the close win.
May 21, 2021: Memphis Grizzlies - 117, Golden State Warriors - 112
A rematch of some sort awaits the Grizzlies and Warriors as they faced off for the West's eighth and final playoff spot in the 2021 play-in tournament. Ja Morant hit two driving floaters in the final 48 seconds of overtime to finish with 35 points, outdueling MVP-finalist Stephen Curry and the Warriors.