This year marks the 24th season the Memphis Grizzlies have played an NBA season in the city of Memphis. After not making the postseason in any of their first six seasons of existence in Vancouver, Canada, and their first two seasons in Memphis, the Grizzlies have made the postseason in 13 of their last 22 seasons.
That number is 14 if you count their play-in tournament loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the bubble during the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. The Grizzlies have three different eras of regular season success, and as the current team begins the new year with a 23-11 record, let's look back at some of the best post-New Year runs in their history.
2021-22: Began 23-14; Ended 56-26 (33-12) Conference Semifinals
The Grizzlies' best season in the 'Grz Nxt Gen' era began with a 9-10 record before a 14-4 stretch to end 2021 set the stage for their two-seed finish at the end of the regular season. Their 56 wins tied for the most in franchise history and an 11-game win streak tied for the most in franchise history. After defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs, the Grizzlies fell to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors 4-2.
2013-14: Began 13-17; Ended 50-32 (37-15) First Round
The Grizzlies' 'Grit N' Grind' era entered the 2013-14 season coming off the franchise's best season that ended with a Western Conference Finals appearance. After a 10-10 start to the season, a five-game losing streak placed the Grizzlies in a season-low five games under .500.
However, they climbed out of the hole to finish the season with a 50-32 record and a first-round matchup against the rival Oklahoma City Thunder, whom they defeated on their trek to the Western Conference Finals one year prior. The seventh-seeded Grizzlies took a 3-2 series lead over the two-seeded Thunder but a Zach Randolph ejection and Grizzlies loss in game 6 followed by his suspension for game 7 ended the Grizzlies upset attempt.
2012-13: Began 19-9; Ended 56-26 (37-17) Conference Finals
The Grizzlies began their Western Conference Finals run with a 14-3 start to the season that set the stage for their best record in franchise history. The Grizzlies avenged playoff losses to the Los Angeles Clippers from the previous season and the Oklahoma City Thunder two seasons prior in the first two rounds before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs.
2010-11: Began 14-18; Ended 46-36 (32-18) Conference Semifinals
The 'Grit N' Grind' Grizzlies' era was birth in this season as the team began the season with a 12-17 record, before putting together the right pieces in the rotation to finish the season with the eighth seed. The Grizzlies felt good about their matchup with the one-seed San Antonio Spurs and showed it in their 4-2 first-round upset. The Grizzlies then took the fourth-seed Oklahoma City Thunder to the brink of elimination before falling in game 7.
2003-04: Began 15-17; Ended 50-32 (35-15) First Round
After finishing with 23-59 and 28-54 records in their first seasons in Memphis, the Grizzlies began the 2003-04 season with a 15-10 record. However, a seven-game losing streak to end 2003 put the Grizzlies back in a place of worry.
11 of 12 games to begin 2004 helped them get back on track to notch their first-ever winning season and playoff appearance. Head coach Hubie Brown was awarded the Coach of the Year for the Grizzlies' 50-win season and sixth-seed finish. However, their playoff season ended with a first-round sweep to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.